WEBSTER GROVES, Mo. — A Webster Groves business is partnering with Google for the third straight year to give high school graduates a chance to bypass traditional college and earn a good living.
Digital Strike is hosting its Grow with Google program offering several courses that teach high-demand skills to students. Once a student completes the courses, they are likely positioned to work in fields like cybersecurity, IT, project management, digital marketing, e-commerce, data analytics, and UX design.
These jobs range in salary from $60,000 to $120,000 a year, says Sharon Ayres, who helps lead the program at Digital Strike. Ayres says she has seen so many success stories -- from a former St. Louis city police officer who was injured in the line of duty to opening doors for high school graduates who didn't see college in their future.
"They can complete their certification, they can get a new laptop from us, and they can have career opportunities that they otherwise would not have had," says Ayres.
It comes at a time when college enrollment is down and trade school enrollment is up in Missouri and across the nation. Ayres says the employment landscape is changing and that means job training is changing as well.
Students have a year or so to take the courses at the Digital Strike location in Webster Groves, but some students could finish the coursework in six months. Students will also be asked to attend bi-monthly meetings online and must have a willingness to connect with other students.
"We kind of let it stretch out a little bit because sometimes the students are running into personal issues where they've got maybe a change in their and their home life," says Ayres. "They're moving from one situation to another. They've got other work commitments. So it's nice that we can sort of help them learn to manage their schedule, take their courses as well as really do some things, some of them more sort of encouraging them."
The program is targeted for high school graduates or those with GEDs but Ayres says they'll consider anyone who is passionate. She also hopes community members will step forward to volunteer their expertise on occasion.
Applications are due July 21. Students will be selected Aug. 15. Classes start in September.