With more than 15 years of industry experience, Rudy J. Ellis knew the challenges of sharing live streams across online channels – but he also understood the opportunity it posed for Philadelphia businesses. To help people better engage customers, Rudy launched Switchboard Live, a tool that helps people automatically share live streams on channels like YouTube Live, Twitter, Twitch, and other platforms. This innovative technology allowed businesses to reach larger audiences, and has helped bring people across Pennsylvania – and across the country – together.
Rudy’s not the only one growing his business in the Keystone State – Pennsylvania is home to a growing talent pool, a diverse set of industries, and a neighborly spirit that keeps folks coming back. From tech startups to generations of family-owned companies, the state’s wide range of businesses have helped solidify it as one of the up-and-coming centers for commerce in the United States.
This is just one of many reasons that Google is proud to call it home. With more than 800 employees in the former Nabisco factory in Larimer, just steps from the campuses of Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, Google has operated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for more than a decade.
Google is committed to playing a positive role in Pennsylvania and to ensuring its growth is equitable and sustainable for the long haul. Google works hand-in-hand with more than 350 local organizations in the state – including the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Library, Partner4Work, Bridgeway Capital, Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Chatham University, and others to bring digital tools and resources to Pennsylvanians. So far, more than 296,000 Pennsylvanians have used free Grow with Google workshops to land a new job, elevate their careers, and grow their businesses. And last year alone, Google tools and services helped drive more than $15.5 billion of economic activity for tens of thousands of Pennsylvania businesses, nonprofits, publishers, creators, and developers.
Helping Pennsylvanians find
high-growth, high-paying jobs
In the 21st century economy, digital skills have the power to unlock new job opportunities and elevate careers. When these opportunities are available to everyone, communities everywhere can reach their full potential. That’s why Google is committed to helping jobseekers across Pennsylvania get the qualifications they need to land well-paying, in-demand jobs in high-growth fields, with no college degree or experience required.
Google’s Career Certificate program equips people with job-ready skills in the in-demand fields like Data Analytics, IT Support and Project Management–with no experience or degree required. The training is online, flexible, and able to be completed within 3-6 months of part-time study. Thousands of Pennsylvanians have already enrolled in a Career Certificates program and are working toward gaining the skills they need to advance their careers. Local Pittsburgh employers like PNC Bank, UPMC and Expedient have committed to sourcing new hires from the Career Certificate program.
In order to have the healthiest economy possible, everyone must have access to the tools and resources that will help them thrive. And for many, credentials alone are not enough – additional wrap-around services such as professional coaching, interview prep and job placement assistance help workers secure jobs successfully. That’s why this year, Google announced a new $100 million Google Career Certificates Fund that goes beyond skilling to provide critical career support that will help remove barriers for more learners, and help give them the tools they need to be successful in the long-term.
To learn more about the Google Career Certificates and how to get started, visit grow.google/certificates.
Helping Pennsylvania businesses grow
There’s no question that technology has altered the way that the world does business. Recent years have showcased how important technology can be in connecting businesses with new customers, with over 87 percent of small business owners saying that digital tools have empowered them to grow their customer bases. At Google, we want to help businesses of all sizes access the tools they need to thrive and grow, including the over 1 million small businesses in Pennsylvania.
For years, Google has helped small businesses in the state learn digital skills to reach new customers and thrive and grow online. Small businesses participate in free workshops hosted by Pennsylvania partners through the Grow with Google Partner Program. We also help underrepresented businesses in the state via the Grow with Google Digital Coaches program, which helps Black and Latino-owned businesses access free, hands-on coaching and digital skills training from a local business expert based right here in the state. Our Pennsylvania Digital Coach has trained more than 2,600 small business owners through digital skills workshops.
Pennsylvania business owners like Rudy can use Google tools to help support workloads, and connect with new customers.
“Guidance from Google employees in areas of marketing and sales empowered us to look beyond our initial goals and reach even higher to meet our customer needs.” – Rudy J. Ellis, CEO, Switchboard Live
“Google Digital Coaches classes provided us with essential tools to help us reach new customers. We increased website searches and views by thousands, which diversified our client basis and expanded our reach and opportunities.” – Shayla Hoyle-Foreman, Founder, S-Spa of PGH, Pittsburgh, PA
These resources are helping businesses across the Keystone State. Whether it’s Rudy and the folks at Switchboard Live, VXXXV Apparel, an urban streetwear brand out of Philadelphia, or Werkheiser Jewelers, an independent jeweler serving customers in Bethlehem, PA and beyond , for more than 20 years, Google tools, resources, and analytics have helped invest in Pennsylvania entrepreneurs. We’re connecting Pennsylvania small businesses to new, wider markets, while helping give consumers across the Commonwealth access to the handy reviews, directions, and phone numbers they need to stay in the know. To learn more about free business workshops, visit grow.google/grow-your-business.
Get started
Thanks to the partnership of Pennsylvanians and willingness to embrace us as part of your community, Google is thrilled for the opportunity to continue to support the Commonwealth grow and thrive well into the future. Learn more about Grow with Google resources at google.com/grow.