Skilled Trades and Readiness
For more details about our Nebraska STAR program, email us at Star.WorkforceNE@gmail.com.
The digital economy needs a skilled and diverse workforce
Google is committed to expanding and diversifying the skilled trades workforce to empower our data center communities.
Leading the effort on growing local talent for the digital future
Preparing today’s workforce for tomorrow’s data centers
We identify areas of need for future talent resources and work with state and local organizations to define the best approaches to bridge skills gaps.
We then collaborate with education and training organizations to build talent pathways and opportunities so our neighbors can thrive in the growing digital economy.
Skilled Trades and Readiness (STAR) Program graduate Jemal Shabazz sits on the campus where he earned his certification in Omaha, Nebraska.
Boosting interest, training, and career opportunities in the trades
Data Center Career Explorer
Ever wondered what keeps Google’s products working? If you’re a middle school or high school student looking for a digital future, discover the roles in the data center industry, the education requirements, and skills needed to help us make the digital world better for everyone.
South Carolina 2024 STAR Program Construction participants celebrate their recent graduation.
Development programs to support our neighbors
The Skilled Trades and Readiness (STAR) Program is a short-term training program preparing new-to-industry talent for entry-level careers in construction and the skilled trades. By supporting these initiatives in the data center communities we call home, we are creating a robust workforce of skilled, local, and underinvested talent to bolster each region's growth.
Get to know the people who are training with Google to build up their communities
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Jemal Shabazz
Nebraska, USASTAR Graduate in Fiber Optics
Jemal Shabazz believes in fiber.
Jemal’s grandfather’s electrician tools and theory of electricity books caught Jemal’s attention at an early age. Jemal started out with ambitions to be an electrician journeyman, but ultimately he wanted to build a career in fiber, something he calls “career certainty” rather than “job security.” “I was looking at the job landscape and doing all this research on the tech industry. I figured, let's try to find something that can work with automation and AI instead of getting fully replaced by it.”
This led him to Google’s Skilled Trades and Readiness (STAR) Program in Omaha, where Jemal enrolled in a multi-week program in fiber optics. The intense and fast-paced curriculum provided him with the skills and the confidence to enter the field despite having little prior fiber experience.
In his current job, he is being given more advanced tasks because of his strong work ethic and the training he received in the STAR program. He knows these types of programs are vital for giving community members the opportunities they need to pursue a fiber optics or construction career. And he wants to help other young black men have more of the same opportunities he has had in the fiber field, someday becoming a fiber instructor and teaching and influencing young people in underinvested communities to follow a career in the trades.
“Having those certifications from the STAR Program allows my job to put me on more advanced tasks. And they’re confident with my work ability and work ethic and all that, in addition to the credentials.”
“The STAR Program also gave me the confidence to enter a high-level field like this with just a little experience. I felt informed enough to start my job with confidence and not feel like a complete novice when I first got out into the field.”
Jemal ShabazzSTAR Graduate in Fiber Optics
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Aurora Rodriguez
Northern Virginia, USASTAR Graduate in Construction
Aurora Rodriguez has already built the foundation for a strong career. She credits her mom for giving her the strength and the gumption to begin pursuing her goals and dreams early. Her mom came to the United States from Honduras right after 9/11, and has worked the same job for the same salary since she began, working days and nights and taking the bus everywhere. This inspired Aurora to aim higher. She finished high school online so she could start working full time her sophomore year. “Everything I do is so she can have a better life and retirement.”
Aurora always knew she wanted to work in the trades and began in welding. However, it became financially challenging to continue that work. She moved into logistical roles, yet a career in the trades still called to Aurora.
That’s when she heard about Google’s Skilled Trades and Readiness (STAR) Program in Construction at Northern Virginia Community College. She completed the program in 2024, which has led to more project management opportunities at her job and a desire to go back to school and earn a four-year degree. Aurora’s mom is surely beaming with pride. “I remember the tough times, that no matter what, my mom made sure I pushed through.”
“I came from a logistical background from Amazon to UPS Stores. I was trying to prepare going back to school...and then I came upon the STAR Program.”
“The STAR Program is making a difference in communities. It is giving opportunities to people who probably felt stuck just like I did.”
Aurora RodriguezSTAR Graduate in Construction
Skilled Trades and Readiness
For more details about our Virginia STAR program, email us at Star.WorkforceVA@gmail.com
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Collaborating with communities to develop workforce programs
Building a skilled, competitive pool of talent takes everyone
In the Google Workforce Development program, we collaborate with local nonprofits and community colleges to provide training, certifications, and skill development opportunities, helping individuals to compete in today’s workforce.
We design programs that replenish and grow the future workforce pipeline and deliver programs that increase opportunities for skilled, local, and underinvested talent. Whether we amplify the great training programs that already exist in many communities or create new ones to fit the community needs, together we can meet the demands of tomorrow.
Mallika Welsh takes a break from her dedicated job as a Google Data Centers Services Manager in Virginia to play with her dog, Tooley, in a local park.
Frequently asked questions
Our program leads the effort to grow local talent for tomorrow's data centers. We aim to equip individuals in underinvested communities with essential digital skills and training. By focusing on digital literacy and job readiness, we help bridge the skills gap, fostering economic mobility and creating pathways to success in the evolving job market.
Google’s STAR Program offers short-term training aimed at preparing individuals for careers in trades, such as construction, carpentry, mechanical, electrical, and fiber optics. Designed to bridge the gap in the skilled trades workforce, STAR not only equips participants with essential skills, but also focuses on increasing diversity and opportunity within these high-demand fields.
The STAR Program prepares individuals for entry-level roles in construction and skilled trades, increases entry-level workforce in these sectors, and enhances diversity in construction and skilled trades through outreach in underinvested communities.
The STAR Program is currently available in the United States in Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia. To learn more about the programs in your area, contact your state STAR representatives about future initiatives:
- Indiana: Star.WorkforceIN@gmail.com
- Missouri: Star.WorkforceMO@gmail.com
- Nebraska: Star.WorkforceNE@gmail.com
- Ohio: Star.WorkforceOH@gmail.com
- South Carolina: Star.WorkforceSC@gmail.com
- Virginia: Star.WorkforceVA@gmail.com
If you have a general inquiry or question about when a program is coming to your area, email us at gdc-wfd@google.com.
Currently there are two learning tracks:
- Construction: Hands-on industry experience focusing on carpentry, mechanical, electrical trades, blueprint reading, and math skills.
- Fiber optics: Cutting-edge training in fiber-optics cable installation.
The program also includes basic safety certifications, blueprint reading, industry-level math, and hands-on skills training. Soft-skills training and wrap-around services are also program elements.
The STAR Program is a short-term bootcamp-style training that is located near Google’s data centers with ongoing construction or expansion.
Participants receive paid training with employment networking opportunities. Additionally, local trade organizations offer insights into career opportunities.
Job opportunities are available for successful program completers provided they pass the employer’s job requirements.
Candidates must be age 18 or older by the first day of class, hold a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent, and have a willingness to learn.
Please email your state's STAR representatives for more information:
- Indiana: Star.WorkforceIN@gmail.com
- Missouri: Star.WorkforceMO@gmail.com
- Nebraska: Star.WorkforceNE@gmail.com
- Ohio: Star.WorkforceOH@gmail.com
- South Carolina: Star.WorkforceSC@gmail.com
- Virginia: Star.WorkforceVA@gmail.com
