Google is a partner with Youngkin and offers AI training courses to Virginia job seekers

Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Tuesday that Google will partner with his administration to offer free, low-cost artificial intelligence certification courses to Virginians as part of his office’s ongoing efforts to connect citizens to new jobs amid the state’s economic change.

The partnership he described with AI Career Launchpad will offer up to 10,000 Virginians at any time a Google sponsored AI training course, officials said in Google’s office in the northern state.

The training opportunities will be listed on Job’s website, which Youngkin launched earlier this year, in response to a major layoff of federal workers by the Trump administration, including many workers in Virginia.

“All career moves are going to incorporate this next-generation technology somewhere along the way,” Youngkin said at a press conference.

The initiative has seen an uptick in unemployment rate in Virginia, which continues to unemployment claims of around 20,400 people, Secretary of State George ‘Brian’ Slater said after a press conference. Approximately 2,800 people first filed unemployment claims in the first week of July. This is about 6.1% higher than the previous week.

The AI webpage introduces several low-cost learning opportunities, ranging from free courses and “great courses for beginners on the fundamentals of AI,” to practical workplace applications for artificial intelligence, to boot camps and degree programs offered by state-of-the-art community colleges and universities in Virginia.

Nicole Overley, commissioner at Virginia Works, said the company told her office that AI capabilities are becoming increasingly needed in their industry. She said the training will help Virginians become competitive in the employment markets these companies employ.

The training course cost taxpayers nothing and over-confirmed that it was donated by Google. Google’s Head of Partnerships Bronagh Friel said he is proud of his collaboration with the state.

“Google is committed to advocating for Virginia’s economic growth and opportunity,” she said.

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