Google Cloud to help underrepresented groups find careers in the channel through new Katalyst programme

The initiative has been designed increase the pool of available talent in the market

Google Cloud has unveiled a new programme designed to help disadvantaged people in the UK launch careers within the cloud technology and data sector.

Dubbed Project Katalyst, the initiative has been designed increase the pool of available talent in the market and prepare participants for their first role working with Google Cloud partners.

It is aimed at people representing a balance of genders, ethnic minority communities, and individuals who are not in education, employment or training, or those suffering with mental or physical health.

Richard Regan, head of partner engineering at Google Cloud, said: "We wanted to do something locally, to help grow the pool of available skilled individuals, ideally tapping into underrepresented groups.

"This was the genesis of Project Katalyst: to create a programme that would provide equal access to job opportunities for young people who may not have had the chance to go to university, giving underrepresented groups a path into a rewarding, well-paid and growing tech sector."

Google Cloud and its charity partner Generation UK have worked together to develop the new cloud programme.

The 12-week course will consist of developing both technical and soft skills, where participants will complete a Google Cloud digital leader certification following an Associate Cloud Engineer certification within the first six months of joining a Google Cloud partner.

Participants will then get to meet and interview for confirmed roles at Google Cloud partners with an expected annual salary of up to £30,000 in London.

Regan said: "Google already does a lot to make the workplace as inclusive as possible. For me, the Katalyst programme helps us to bring part of that inclusivity to our partners and the wider communities we live in.

"Growing up, I always thought one day I would be a teacher, following in my mother's footsteps. While I took a different career path, for me it's fantastic to have the opportunity, through this programme, to enable life-changing careers, supporting others to learn and hopefully enjoy working with Google Cloud as much as I do, fulfilling, in part, a dream I once had."