In light of the need to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for the skills required to build and maintain large-scale cloud deployments, Google LLC today announced the launch of a new educational initiative called Google Cloud Skills Boost.

With the launch of Skills Boost, Google Cloud will provide access to more than 700 hands-on labs, role-based courses, skill badges and certification resources, including 16 new learning paths for in-demand knowledge. These skills involve such knowledge bases as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, application development, security and cloud architecture.

“Across the globe, digital transformations are happening at an increasing rate, and the driving force behind these transformations are the skilled, cloud-trained people that make up these organizations,” Rochana Golani, director of Learning and Enablement at Google Cloud told SiliconANGLE.

According to an industry study released by A Cloud Guru, more than 90% of leaders in information technology roles expect a significant expansion of cloud services, but 80% of those same leaders surveyed saw a lack of cloud skills hampering that growth.

“Whether you’re a developer or a tech-adjacent business user, having easy access to a platform that provides continuous learning, training and development opportunities is key to both professional and organizational success,” Golani said.

Beginning today, users will be able to personalize their own learning paths, track progress and validate their own new knowledge with Google Cloud Skills badges that can be used to show off proficiency to potential employers. According to Google, these skills can lead to significant career growth.

In fact, two of the highest-paying IT certifications in 2021 are both on Google Cloud: Google Certified Professional Data Engineer averaged $171,749 annually and Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect averaged $169,029 annually.

The training featured by Google Cloud Skills Boost includes content such as Getting Started with Google Kubernetes Engine, How Google Does Machine Learning, Preparing for the Professional Cloud Architect Certification Exam and more.

Upon launch, all content is available in English as well as Japanese. Support for more languages will come soon.

Users who sign up by Nov. 6 will receive their first month of content at no cost. Google believes that should make it easy for new users to earn a Google Cloud certification or pick up a new skill.

Following up on the new initiative, Google is also hosting Cloud Learn, a new no-cost learning event on Dec. 8 and 9. The event will be hosted for developers, IT professionals and data practitioners to provide an opportunity to hear from Google Cloud executives, customers and industry experts.

Cloud Learn will also offer exclusive opportunities to earn even more skill badges, participate in more hands-on challenges and receive access to additional learning resources. The event intends to cover everything from Google Cloud fundamentals to more intensive Google Cloud certification preparation.

Users can register for the event at Google’s web portal to reserve a spot.

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