Google Skills is Google’s learning platform for AI and tech upskilling. It combines thousands of courses, hands‑on labs, skill badges, and certifications into one place, with short AI Boost Bites for quick wins. Learners can follow curated paths, practise in real cloud labs, and share verified achievements.

Why Google Skills matters now

AI capabilities and job roles are shifting fast. Google Skills gathers Google’s AI learning in one platform so beginners and professionals can move from intro courses to hands‑on labs, earn skill badges, and pursue industry certifications. For employers, centralised tracking and structured paths make it easier to roll out AI upskilling at scale.

What’s inside Google Skills

• Learning paths: Curated sequences such as Beginner: Introduction to Generative AI, with a clear progression and estimated effort.

• Hands‑on labs: Browser‑based exercises in real Google Cloud projects so learners can practise tasks safely without local setup.

• Skill badges: Micro‑credentials you earn by completing a short series of labs or assessments—ideal for showcasing specific capabilities.

• Certificates & Certifications: Longer programmes and proctored exams to validate role‑ready skills (e.g., Google Cloud certifications).

• AI Boost Bites: 10‑minute micro‑lessons for quick wins and habit‑building.

• Campaigns & community: Events like Skills Arcade and the Google Cloud Innovators programme (with monthly hands‑on credits) encourage momentum.

Quick start

1. Create an account: Sign in at skills.google and set your region to see UK‑relevant catalogues.

2. Choose a path: Start with an AI foundation path (e.g., AI Essentials), then branch into role‑based tracks (developer, data, business).

3. Do a lab: Launch a beginner lab and follow the guided steps; your work is isolated in a temporary cloud project.

4. Earn a skill badge: Complete the required activities in the path and share your badge on LinkedIn or your CV.

5. Plan a certification: Review the exam guide, schedule practice, and use mock tasks from corresponding labs.

For teams (L&D and enablement)

• Rollout model: Assign paths by role; set weekly “Bites + one lab” targets; track progress via leaderboards.

• Evidence of learning: Ask learners to submit badges and lab summaries; tie completion to internal promotion frameworks.

• Governance: Align with UK data and accessibility standards; ensure labs avoid production credentials and use sandboxed projects.

UK & regional context

• Grow with Google UK/EU: Regional pages curate AI courses for local audiences and small businesses.

• Schools & FE: Pair foundational AI content with GCSE/A‑level computing outcomes or T Level digital routes; surface Micro‑credentials (badges) as formative assessments.

• Public sector: Use short Bites for awareness and labs for controlled pilots; require certification for specific roles where appropriate.

Good practice for learners

• Plan a 4–6 week sprint: 3 Bites/week + 1 lab + 1 badge checkpoint.

• Alternate concept learning with lab application to improve retention.

• Keep a public log of badges/cert progress to signal momentum to employers.

Limitations to note

• Some labs depend on temporary cloud projects; outages or quota hiccups can delay completion.

• Certification exams are proctored and may involve separate scheduling and fees.

Summary

Google Skills offers a practical, credentials‑oriented route to AI proficiency—from short AI Boost Bites to hands‑on labs, badges, and recognised certifications. It’s a credible path for individuals and a scalable framework for organisations planning AI upskilling in 2026.

Next Steps: Want a team AI‑skills rollout with a clear governance framework? Talk to Generation Digital—we’ll map roles to paths, set targets, and instrument reporting.

FAQ Section

Q1. What is Google Skills?
A unified Google platform for AI and tech learning that bundles courses, labs, skill badges, and certifications with curated learning paths.

Q2. Is it free?
Many courses and labs are free. Certifications involve proctored exams and may carry separate fees.

Q3. Do I need a powerful laptop?
No. Labs run in the browser using temporary Google Cloud projects.

Q4. Can teams track progress?
Yes. Organisational programmes can use campaigns (e.g., Skills Arcade) and leaderboards to motivate and measure progress.

Q5. How fast can I get a badge?
Skill badges are designed for short, practical sprints—often a few labs rather than a long course.