Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — ASG Department of Commerce, in collaboration with Coursera, is moving forward with their efforts to development of the IT workforce within the territory. Coursera – a universal online learning program that offers access to online courses, degrees, and certificates from well-known universities and companies – will implement the program beginning with the Google IT Support Professional Certificate course which contains over 100 hours of instruction and practice-based assessments to prepare and strengthen workforce IT skills.

According to a DOC press release received over the weekend, over 120 government and private sector employees were accepted to participate in the program — fully funded by the ASG Department of Commerce through the Community Service Block Grant CARES Act funding. The Department of Commerce and Coursera officially launched the Google IT Program via a Zoom call on Wednesday, August 04, 2021. Department of Commerce Director Petti Matila and Assistant Director Michael McDonald were joined by over 50 enrolled participants during the zoom launch.

“The Department of Commerce has made it a priority to make this learning opportunity accessible to both public and private sector across the territory.” said Director Matila. “This initiative is among the Administration’s economic priorities to develop and expand the IT industry on island. To do so, we begin with every organization’s most valuable asset — human capital. Your participation in this IT course is a demonstration of the American Samoa Government’s commitment to see you grow professionally with the right skillsets and education to deliver world-class, quality IT service in your respective organizations,” said Director Matila.

The workforce development program is 100% online and self-paced. The Google IT Support Professional course may be completed within 3-6 months, and upon fulfillment of the course, the participant will receive a Google IT Support Professional certificate. Earning the certification in Google IT contributes to upskilling the IT workforce across the territory. In addition to the Google IT enrollment, the participants have a 12-month access to all e-learning programs offered by Coursera, which they can register for at no cost. Courses offered through Coursera are developed by top universities like Princeton and Stanford as well as companies like Google and IBM.

For more information regarding the Coursera Google IT program, please contact DOC Assistant Director Michael McDonald at michael.mcdonald@doc.as or call the ASG Department of Commerce at 633-5155.