Google will pay to train 10,000 IT specialists it may never hire — Quartz at Work: Google is trying a new hiring tactic: pay to train other companies’ employees. The tech giant announced on Jan. 16 that it had turned its internal IT training program into an online course and was offering scholarships for up to 10,000 Americans. While Google plans to hire from this pool of students, most of the course’s graduates will likely go to off to other companies. That could prove to be model for Silicon Valley, and every company struggling to find qualified candidates.
Paying to train employees who may never work at your company is becoming a new recruiting tool, says a spokesperson from Coursera, the online learning website that will host Google’s IT training program. Google is the first to offer scholarships through Coursera’s platform, but more companies will offer similar arrangements this year. Many face a Catch 22 when hiring for technology jobs. Firms want people with demonstrated skills, but it’s hard for potential candidates to develop that expertise except on the job. Vocational and college education can seem expensive and outdated, given the pace of technological change.
Paying to train employees who may never work at your company is becoming a new recruiting tool, says a spokesperson from Coursera, the online learning website that will host Google’s IT training program. Google is the first to offer scholarships through Coursera’s platform, but more companies will offer similar arrangements this year. Many face a Catch 22 when hiring for technology jobs. Firms want people with demonstrated skills, but it’s hard for potential candidates to develop that expertise except on the job. Vocational and college education can seem expensive and outdated, given the pace of technological change.