Holyoke Public Library
250 Chestnut Street - Holyoke, MA 01040
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Career Certificates

Good news! All community colleges have free access to Google Career Certificates! A certificate can translate into college credit at select four-year universities, and give higher education students greater earning potential and a direct pathway to in-demand jobs.

-Learn more by clicking here-

Learn job-ready skills and start a new career in under six months with help from Google Career Certificates. Learn more here, or:

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Free training, tools and events to help you grow your skills, career, or business

  1. Small Businesses and Startups
  2. Job Seekers
  3. Students and Educators
  4. Veterans and Military families

I. Small Businesses and Startups

Host workshops and provide free resources to help local business grow and be found online.

     A. Guides and FAQs

Guide to Getting Businesses Online

This guide covers Google My Business verification basics, common hurdles to verification, exclusive ways to verify, FAQs, and next steps to help businesses succeed online.

Google My Business FAQs

Check out common questions (and answers!) about Google My Business that may be asked during your workshop.

YouTube Playbook for Small Business

Get to know the fundamentals of YouTube through this comprehensive guidebook. The steps outlined in this small business resource will introduce the basics of building and managing a YouTube business channel, creating eye-catching videos, and advertising on YouTube.

Primer: Instructions for Getting Started

Familiarize yourself with Primer, the free mobile app with easy 5-minute lessons on digital business and marketing topics like online advertising, business planning and more.

     B. Workshop Materials

            1. Build Your Online Presence

Get Your Local Business on Google Search and Maps

Showing up when customers are searching online is more important than ever. Ensure customers can find accurate, updated information about your local business on Google Search and Google Maps, no matter which device they use. In this workshop, you will learn how to create and manage a Google business profile from start to finish.

Make Your Website Work for You

Learn how to create a search-friendly website that drives user action and supports your goals. Whether you’re launching a new website or sprucing up an old one, this workshop will help.

Canva Pro for Nonprofits

Canva helps you create beautiful designs and create change in the world.

           2. Sell Online

Content coming soon!

           3. Reach More Customers

Design Thinking for Entrepreneurs

Discover how to create a collaborative environment where everyone is responsible for design. You will go through design challenges and sprints that can be incorporated into any workplace or startup, to unlock creativity and innovative thinking.

Learn the Basics of Google Ads

In this workshop you will learn how to reach more customers and grow your business with Google Ads. We will cover how to create an account and set up an ad campaign, how to improve ad performance, and how to measure success.

Make Better Business Decisions with Analytics

Learn best practices and analyze trends about how customers engage with your business online, then turn these insights into well-informed, actionable decisions.

Reach Customers Online with Google

Learn how your business can be found online with Google. This workshop explains how Google Search works and how you can improve a website's visibility with Search Engine Optimization (SEO). The session also introduces products like Google My Business, Google Trends, Search Console, Google Analytics, Google Ads, and more.

Use YouTube to Grow Your Business

Get best practices for creating a YouTube Channel and compelling video content that promotes your products and services and drives engagement with your brand.

            4. Work Remotely

Connect with Your Customers and Manage Your Business Remotely

Learn how to update critical business information online, keep your customers informed, conduct virtual meetings, and access important files from anywhere.

     C. Handouts

COVID-19 Resources for Small Businesses

Share this handout on tools and resources to help small businesses manage through uncertainty during COVID-19.

About Google for Startups

Learn about the resources that Google has available for startups.

Google My Business Handout

Check out this handy one-sheeter with the steps to setup and create a Google My Business Profile.

Google My Business Postcard

This postcard provides a checklist for businesses claiming their Google My Business Listing to follow to make sure they are making the most of their profile.

Google My Business Handout for Veterans

Help veteran businesses stand out with the “Veteran-Led” attribute on Google Search and Maps.

Handout for Small Businesses

Use this one-sheet to inform the small businesses you work with about some of the Google tools available to grow their digital skills and help customers find them online.

About the Primer App

This printable flyer makes it easy to tell people about the Primer app, including how to find the special Grow with Google minicourses for job seekers, small businesses and startups. Hang one up and print more to hand out to your audiences.

     D. Videos

Spring into action with Google’s business insights tools

Learn how to use Google Analytics to gain insights about how consumers engage with businesses online. We'll discuss best practices to analyze customer trends and turn these insights into actionable decisions, and we’ll explore Market Finder, Google's free tool that helps identify potential markets and customers for businesses.

Manage Your Business Remotely in Times of Uncertainty

Discover tools, tips and resources to help you manage your business remotely during the COVID-19 crisis. Learn how to update critical business information online to keep customers informed, and how to host virtual meetings and events. We'll also share the latest resources from Google and other partners to help support small businesses.

Primer in a Nutshell: Video

This video provides a quick and fun introduction to the Primer app. Watch it yourself first and then share it with your audiences when you tell them about Primer.

Quick Help step-by-step video tutorials

Quick Help is a new series of short video tutorials to get tasks done using Google tool

Top Career Questions Answered By Top Recruiters

Get key insights and tips from recruiters at Deloitte, Charter, Google and SAP on a wide range of topics including how to manage career gaps on your resume, how to get through automated resume screeners, choosing the right references, and more.

     E. COVID -19 Resources

COVID-19 Resources for Grow with Google Partners

Our partners are more important than ever to the communities that you serve. To help you address challenges in the current climate of social distancing and working from home, we've created a resource especially for you that includes some free tools to keep people connected and productive.

Grow with Google's Remote Work Hub

To slow the spread of COVID-19, many employees, educators, and students are working remotely. To help, Grow with Google has gathered some free tools and resources to keep you connected and productive.

Google for Nonprofits - Resources for Your Organization

This blog post from our friends on the Google for Nonprofits team discusses discounts for nonprofits organizations who use G Suite Business and Enterprise editions. You'll also find a link within to more COVID-19 resources created with nonprofits in mind.

COVID-19 Resources for Small Businesses

Share this handout on tools and resources to help small businesses manage through uncertainty during COVID-19.

May 6 Livestream: Manage Your Business Remotely in Times of Uncertainty

View the recording of our May 6th livestream on managing a small business remotely. You can also view our digital kit for this event.

Connect with Your Customers and Manage Your Business Remotely

Learn how to update critical business information online, keep your customers informed, conduct virtual meetings, and access important files from anywhere. This topic is now available for partners to present to the businesses you work with.

Trainer Office Hours 3/18/20: Work and Collaborate from Anywhere

Watch the recording of Google-certified trainer Pamela Starr presenting on how to use Google tools to work effectively from home.

Trainer Office Hours 4/1/20: Hosting Virtual Workshops as a Grow with Google Partner

Google trainer Corissa Saint Laurent reviews how to host a workshop virtually and register it in the Partner Community.

"Keeping the Lights On" Livestream in Partnership with the ASBDC

View and share the recording of this business resiliency livestream, hosted with our friends at the ASBDC. This webinar includes an introduction to a customizable guide to help small business owners prepare to respond quickly and recover from disruptions, and will introduce Google tools that can help you work and manage your business during this time of uncertainty.

Grow with Google National Partner Tips

We reached out to our national partners (including ASBDC, SCORE, and others) and asked them for their top tips for small businesses during the COVID-19 situation. Check out their feedback here.

US Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Resources

Stay informed on the latest news, resources and guidance for small businesses from the US Chamber.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Coronavirus Relief Options

Learn more about SBA provided funding for small businesses including Payroll Protection Plans, and Loans and Debt relief.

     F. Resources in Spanish

Alcance a sus clientes en línea con Google

Aprende cómo encontrar tu negocio en línea con Google. Este taller explica cómo funciona el Buscador de Google y cómo puedes mejorar la visibilidad de tu página web a través de la optimización de motores de búsqueda (SEO). La sesión también presenta productos como Google Mi Negocio, Google Trends, Search Console, Google Analytics, Google Ads y más.

Cómo Tomar Mejores Decisiones de Negocios con Analytics

Conozca las mejores prácticas y analice las tendencias de cómo clientes interactúan con su negocio en línea, luego convierta esos conocimientos en decisiones bien informadas y viables.

Ponga su Negocio en la Búsqueda Google y Maps

Explore Google My Business, una herramienta gratuita para empresas que desean conectarse con clientes en Google Search y Maps.

Use YouTube para Hacer Crecer Su Negocio

Obtenga las mejores prácticas para crear un canal de YouTube y contenido atractivo que promueva sus productos y servicios y tambien aumente el conocimiento de su marca.

     G. Links...

S.C.O.R.E

SCORE’s mission is to foster vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education. With the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, SCORE has helped more than 11 million entrepreneurs since 1964.

Small Business Administration (SBA)

Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. The SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses.

EforAll (Enterprenuership for All)

A nonprofit organization that seeks to help Massachusetts residents start businesses. It offers a free one-year program that includes business training, mentors, grants and a support network.


II. Job Seekers

Offer job seekers practical tools and lessons on digital skills that can help them find a job or grow their career.

     A. Get-started Guides

Jobs on Google Search: Tips for Getting Started

Learn (or teach) how to use the Job Search feature on Google, including a special tip for veteran searchers.

Google IT Support Professional Certificate: An Overview for Provider Organizations

Learn how the Google IT Support Professional Certificate can prepare people for an entry-level role in IT support in less than six months. Please note that there is a fee associated with learners looking to earn their certificate that can either be paid for by the learner or the organization.

About the Automation with Python Professional Certificate

Help the individuals you work with to build on their IT foundations and take their career to the next level. This program teaches learners in-demand skills like programming in Python, using Git, advanced troubleshooting, and IT automation techniques to help advance their careers in IT.

Primer: Instructions for Getting Started

Familiarize yourself with Primer, the free mobile app with easy 5-minute lessons on digital business and marketing topics like online advertising, business planning and more.

     B. Workshop materials

Applied Digital Skills Presentation Deck (Adults and Jobseekers)

Use this presentation deck to familiarize the individuals in your community with Google’s self-paced, video-based digital skills curriculum, Applied Digital Skills, for adults and jobseekers.

Collaborate, Meet and Work Remotely

Discover how to schedule and host effective virtual meetings, collaborate on documents with others in real time, and access your files from anywhere—even from your phone.

Communicate with Calendar and Gmail

Use Google Calendar and Gmail to share important dates, reminders and events with others. Sharing schedules helps you become a better communicator. Effective communication defines expectations, improves teamwork, and builds trust.

Digital Skills for Everyday Tasks

Learn how to manage work and life tasks more effectively using Google tools. Whether you want to build a budget, create a meeting agenda or organize your priorities, these best practices will boost your productivity.

Improve Your Resume with Practical Strategies

Read a resume like a hiring manager. In this workshop, you'll get four strategies to improve your resume and a checklist of tips to help you communicate your strengths.

Power Your Job Search with Google Tools

Discover new job opportunities using Google Search, and learn how to organize and enhance your job search experience using G Suite tools.

Workshop Topics

If you're interested in hosting an event, then be sure to check out our list of workshop topics. Learn more about each topic in detail so you can pinpoint which will work best for your audience.

     C. Handouts

Applied Digital Skills: Use Google to Get a New Job Handout

This handout walks jobseekers through the steps of signing up for the free, online Applied Digital Skills program and searching for curriculum specific to them.

About the Google Career Certificates

Learn how the Google Career Certificates can prepare people for an entry-level role in IT support, user experience (UX) design, project management, or data analytics in less than six months. Upon completion, learners can connect directly with top employers who are hiring for related roles. Please note that there is a fee associated with learners looking to earn their certificate that can either be paid for by the learner or the organization.

About the IT Support Professional Certificate

Help the individuals you work with learn more about the Google IT Support Professional Certificate, an innovative curriculum designed to prepare them for an entry-level role in IT support. Please note that there is a fee associated with learners looking to earn their certificate.

About the Primer App

This printable flyer makes it easy to tell people about the Primer app, including how to find the special Grow with Google minicourses for job seekers, small businesses and startups. Hang one up and print more to hand out to your audiences.

     D. Videos

Quick Help step-by-step video tutorials

Quick Help is a new series of short video tutorials to help people find jobs and grow their careers using Google tools.

Find Your Next Job, with Google Search: Short Video

This informational video touches on the features of Google’s Job Search tool.

Use Google Tools to Help Land Your Next Job

Learn how to discover new job opportunities using Google Search and organize your job search experience using G Suite tools. In this workshop we also share strategies to improve your resume, tips to help you communicate effectively online, virtual interview best practices, and the latest resources from Google and other partners to help support job seekers.

Primer in a Nutshell: Video

This video provides a quick and fun introduction to the Primer app. Watch it yourself first and then share it with your audiences when you tell them about Primer.

     E. COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 Resources for Grow with Google Partners

Our partners are more important than ever to the communities that you serve. To help you address challenges in the current climate of social distancing and working from home, we've created a resource especially for you that includes some free tools to keep people connected and productive.

Grow with Google's Remote Work Hub

To slow the spread of COVID-19, many employees, educators, and students are working remotely. To help, Grow with Google has gathered some free tools and resources to keep you connected and productive.

Google for Nonprofits - Resources for Your Organization

This blog post from our friends on the Google for Nonprofits team discusses discounts for nonprofits organizations who use G Suite Business and Enterprise editions. You'll also find a link within to more COVID-19 resources created with nonprofits in mind.

Collaborate, Meet and Work Remotely

Discover how to schedule and host effective virtual meetings, collaborate on documents with others in real time, and access your files from anywhere—even from your phone. This topic is now available for partners to present to the businesses you work with.

Trainer Office Hours 3/18/20: Work and Collaborate from Anywhere

Watch the recording of Google-certified trainer Pamela Starr presenting on how to use Google tools to work effectively from home.

Trainer Office Hours 4/1/20: Hosting Virtual Workshops as a Grow with Google Partner

Google trainer Corissa Saint Laurent reviews how to host a workshop virtually and register it in the Partner Community.

     F. Resources in Spanish

Habilidades digitales para el trabajo diario

Aprende a administrar tareas de trabajo y de vida en una manera más eficazmente utilizado las herramientas de Google. Ya sea que quiere crear un presupuesto, una agenda de juntas u organizar sus prioridades, estas prácticas aumentarán su productividad.

     G. Links...

MassHire Holyoke Career Center

MassHire Career Centers offer employment and training services for job seekers and employers. MassHire creates trust and reliability by connecting jobseekers across the Commonwealth to quality education, skills training, and employment opportunities.


III. Students and Educators

Give teachers, students, and administrators the tools they need to teach or learn digital skills.

     A. Get-started Guides

Applied Digital Skills: A Guide for Instructors

As a Grow with Google Partner you can learn to teach the Applied Digital Skills program, Google’s self-paced, video-based curriculum that equips students with practical digital skills like building a resume or budget, to your community. Use this step-by-step guide to get started.

Google IT Support Professional Certificate: An Overview for Provider Organizations

This overview is for organizations that are interested in offering the Google IT Support Professional Certificate - an innovative program designed to prepare people for an entry-level role in IT support in less than six months. Learn more about the curriculum, responsibilities of a provider organization, and next steps to get started. Please note that there is a fee associated with learners looking to earn their certificate that can either be paid for by the learner or the organization.

     B. Workshop materials

Ace Your School Presentation

In this workshop, middle and high school students will learn how to build a presentation to effectively communicate their research and passion about a topic using Google Slides.

Coding for Kids Presentation

If you work with students or educators interested in learning the basics of computer coding using Scratch, check out this presentation deck featuring Google’s CS First curriculum. Please note that this presentation requires learners to have access to a computer to complete the activities.

Communicate with Calendar and Gmail

Use Google Calendar and Gmail to share important dates, reminders and events with others. Sharing schedules helps you become a better communicator. Effective communication defines expectations, improves teamwork, and builds trust.

Improve Your Resume with Practical Strategies

Read a resume like a hiring manager. In this workshop, you'll get four strategies to improve your resume and a checklist of tips to help you communicate your strengths.

Applied Digital Skills Presentation Deck (Middle School and High School)

Use this presentation deck to familiarize the individuals in your community with Google’s self-paced, video-based digital skills curriculum, Applied Digital Skills, for middle and high schoolers.

Workshop Topics

If you're interested in hosting an event, then be sure to check out our list of workshop topics. Learn more about each topic in detail so you can pinpoint which will work best for your audience.

     C. Handouts

About the Google Career Certificates

Learn how the Google Career Certificates can prepare people for an entry-level role in IT support, user experience (UX) design, project management, or data analytics in less than six months. Upon completion, learners can connect directly with top employers who are hiring for related roles. Please note that there is a fee associated with learners looking to earn their certificate that can either be paid for by the learner or the organization.

About the IT Support Professional Certificate

This guide is a “quick start” resource for organizations that want to offer the Google IT Support Professional Certificate. It provides an overview of the certificate and of the roles and responsibilities of the organizations that offer the certificate program. Please note that there is a fee associated with learners looking to achieve their certificate.

About Applied Digital Skills

This one-sheet provides a general overview of Google's Applied Digital Skills program, and can be useful for partners looking to learn more, or to use as a handout for interested individuals.

Applied Digital Skills: Quick Start Handout

This simple guide walks teachers and learners through the steps of signing up for Google’s self-paced, video-based curriculum that equips students with practical digital skills like building a resume or budget, to your community. Use this step-by-step guide to get started.

     D. COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 Resources for Grow with Google Partners

Our partners are more important than ever to the communities that you serve. To help you address challenges in the current climate of social distancing and working from home, we’ve created a resource especially for you that includes some free tools to keep people connected and productive.

Grow with Google’s Remote Work Hub

To slow the spread of COVID-19, many employees, educators, and students are working remotely. To help, Grow with Google has gathered some free tools and resources to keep you connected and productive.

Google for Nonprofits – Resources for Your Organization

This blog post from our friends on the Google for Nonprofits team discusses discounts for nonprofits organizations who use G Suite Business and Enterprise editions. You’ll also find a link within to more COVID-19 resources created with nonprofits in mind.

COVID-19 Resources for Students and Educators

As many educational institutions are facing or planning for closures due to COVID-19, Google for Education is providing distance learning solutions, training and resources to help teachers and students stay connected.

Collaborate, Meet and Work Remotely

Discover how to schedule and host effective virtual meetings, collaborate on documents with others in real time, and access your files from anywhere—even from your phone. This topic is now available for partners to present to the businesses you work with.

Trainer Office Hours 3/18/20: Work and Collaborate from Anywhere

Watch the recording of Google-certified trainer Pamela Starr presenting on how to use Google tools to work effectively from home.

Trainer Office Hours 4/1/20: Hosting Virtual Workshops as a Grow with Google Partner

Google trainer Corissa Saint Laurent reviews how to host a workshop virtually and register it in the Partner Community.

     E. Links...

Grasshopper

Learn to Code for free! The coding app for beginners in just 5 minutes or less per day.


IV. Veterans and Military families

Assist transitioning service members, military spouses, and veterans as they build civilian careers and businesses.

     A. Handouts and Guides

Tools and Resources for Transitioning Service Members, Veterans, and Military Spouses

If you’re working with transitioning service members, veterans, or military spouses, this handout outlines the tools available to help them to find jobs, start or grow their business, or launch a career in IT support.

Google My Business Handout for Veterans

Help veteran businesses stand out with the “Veteran-Led” attribute on Google Search and Maps.

Supporting Military Spouses with Google Tools

In this handout, we'll outline some tools and resources designed to help military spouses prepare for, and build, meaningful careers.

     B. Workshop materials

[Veteran-specific] Power Your Job Search with Google Tools

Discover new job opportunities for Veterans using Google Search, and learn how to organize and enhance your job search experience using G Suite tools.

[Veteran-specific] Get Your Local Business on Google Search and Maps

Showing up when customers are searching online is more important than ever. Ensure customers can find accurate, updated information about your local business on Google Search and Google Maps, no matter which device they use. In this workshop, you will learn how to create and manage a Google business profile from start to finish.

Discover and Prepare Flexible Careers with Google Tools

Discover new job opportunities using Google Search, and learn how to organize and enhance your job search experience using G Suite tools.

Workshop Topics

If you're interested in hosting an event, then be sure to check out our list of workshop topics. Learn more about each topic in detail so you can pinpoint which will work best for your audience.

     C. Videos

Learn How Veterans Can Find Jobs, with Google Search: Short Video

This video walks transitioning service members and veterans through the process of looking for a job on Google Search by using their military occupation code (MOS, AFSC, NEC or rating).

Train the Trainer for Discover and Prepare for Flexible Careers with Google Tools

This video teaches partners how to deliver the "Discover and Prepare for Flexible Careers with Google Tools" workshop. The workshop helps people discover new job opportunities using Google Search, and learn how to organize and enhance their job search experience using G Suite tools.

     D. Links...

S.C.O.R.E

SCORE’s mission is to foster vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education. With the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, SCORE has helped more than 11 million entrepreneurs since 1964.

Small Business Administration (SBA)

Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. The SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses.

EforAll (Enterprenuership for All)

A nonprofit organization that seeks to help Massachusetts residents start businesses. It offers a free one-year program that includes business training, mentors, grants and a support network.


Online Learning

Develop Your Problem-Solving Skills

Problem solving doesn't need to be complex. Join us in this session to learn how you can develop your problem solving skills to help you make clear decisions, especially during turbulent and overwhelming times.
 

Online Learning

Develop Skills for Working Remotely

It's never been more important to have the skills needed to be able to work remotely. In the first part of this workshop, you'll get tips and tools that can help you find remote work. Then, we'll share ideas for staying focused, motivated, and organized while working from home.