Google Launches AI Professional Certificate to Close Workforce Skills Gap
Iris Coleman Feb 19, 2026 14:51
Google's new AI Professional Certificate targets the 86% of workers lacking AI training, with Walmart, Deloitte, and Verizon already adopting the program.
Google is rolling out its AI Professional Certificate program, targeting a stark disconnect in the American workforce: 70% of managers say AI-trained employees are critical for success, but only 14% of workers have received any AI training from their employers.
Major corporations are already onboard. Walmart, Sam's Club, Deloitte, Verizon, and Colgate-Palmolive have committed to using the certificate for employee training. The program, built by Google experts in collaboration with the Burning Glass Institute, focuses on six core competencies: communication, research, data analysis, content generation, planning, and what Google calls "vibe coding" — building custom applications without writing actual code.
Small businesses get a sweeter deal. Google is offering free access to the certificate plus three months of Google Workspace Business Standard to small business owners through partnerships with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and America's Small Business Development Centers. ADP, PayPal, and Verizon will distribute these resources across their small business networks.
The timing reflects broader market dynamics. Job postings mentioning AI have jumped 108% over the past two years, with AI-skilled workers commanding a 56% wage premium according to industry data. Google claims its existing career certificate programs have reached over one million graduates globally, with 70% reporting positive career outcomes within six months.
Participants get hands-on access to Google's most capable AI models through three months of Google AI Pro, covering over 20 practical use cases — from generating marketing materials and conducting deep research to building infographics and cleaning datasets.
This certificate builds on Google's AI Essentials course, which became Coursera's most popular offering ever. CEO Sundar Pichai recently noted at the AI Summit 2026 in New Delhi that Google has trained 100 million people in digital skills, calling workforce training "crucial" as AI reshapes employment.
The program launches alongside Google Skills, a new platform announced in October 2025 consolidating nearly 3,000 courses from Google Cloud, DeepMind, and Grow with Google. For professionals weighing the credential's value, the certificate addresses employer-identified skill gaps rather than theoretical knowledge — a distinction that may matter as companies increasingly filter job candidates by demonstrated AI competency.
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