myCanvas / myCourses 
Marketing & Communications Dept.
This spring, Blue Ridge Community College announces the launch of a new workforce development initiative: a supportive and fully refundable Google Project Management Certificate course through its Adult Education and Literacy department. Designed for working adults ready to advance their careers or those with an employment gap, the course begins April 7, 2025, combining both online activities and evening classes twice weekly. Interested students must register at www.blueridge.edu/ael by April 6, and a one-hour assessment must be taken prior to the start of class.
This valuable course can be free; students who pass will receive a Google-recognized certificate and be fully refunded the $185 course enrollment fee.
“We’ve created a supportive environment where anyone with career advancement goals can succeed, regardless of their previous educational experience,” said Elizabeth Ellington, bridge coordinator at Blue Ridge Community College. “Our program combines an industry-recognized certificate with the personalized guidance many students need to overcome educational barriers.”
A Supportive Pathway to Advancement
The Google Project Management Certificate helps working adults with an established work history to achieve career advancement, regardless of educational background. This course is ideal for those early in their careers or with limited educational experience, those reentering the workforce after time away, former military personnel, or those aspiring to take the next steps toward or within a supervisory role. No high school diploma or college degree is required, and students without a diploma will have access to additional resources to pursue one alongside the course.
Combining Google’s online learning platform with in-person instruction, the program offers personalized support to keep students on track, overcome technical challenges, and build meaningful connections with peers. With an evening schedule tailored for working adults and parents reentering the workforce, the cohort format fosters collaboration and professional networking.
Furthermore, a 2022 study published by the National Institute of Health highlighted several benefits of in-person instruction. It stated that “students considered that during face-to-face classes, communication with the teacher is more effective (66%), understanding the material is better (81%), concentration is longer (73%) and better (76%), and expression of ideas is more straightforward (56%).”
Blue Ridge Community College also offers career advancement services through the NCWorks office on campus. Services include no-cost personal resume and interview skill development, job searches, career counseling, and more.
Unlock Career Possibilities
Blue Ridge’s Google Project Management Certificate course breaks down complex project management concepts into easy-to-understand lessons, combining classroom learning with engaging team activities. Students will gain essential skills in planning, organization, team leadership, and project tracking—valuable abilities that are transferable to many industries and professions—while working on real-world materials and team-based projects. Upon completion, they will earn a certificate recognized by LinkedIn and over 150 nationwide employers, unlocking new career opportunities in fields such as manufacturing, healthcare, construction, engineering, finance, banking, and information technology.
According to Google, there are over 500,000 open project management jobs in the U.S. Furthermore, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics‘ Occupational Outlook Handbook projects that employment of project management specialists will grow by 7% over the next decade.
A career in project management offers strong earning potential, with experienced specialists earning a mean annual salary of nearly $105,000, according to a 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics report. Even those new to the field can start strong—ZipRecruiter reports that entry-level project manager assistants in the Hendersonville area earn an average salary of nearly $66,000, with starting salaries exceeding $28,000, making the Google Project Management Certificate a strategic first step toward career advancement.
“Our focus is on practical skills that employers want, taught in a supportive, collaborative environment,” added Ellington. ”Our students bring valuable work and life experience to the classroom, and we help transform that experience into professional project management expertise. This welcoming program provides a pathway to roles that offer family-sustaining wages and long-term career growth, with continued assistance every step of the way.”
Course Information Summary
• Registration Deadline: April 6, 2025
• Start Date: April 7, 2025
• Schedule: Mondays and Wednesdays in class, 5 – 8 p.m., plus online coursework
• Location: TBD, Henderson County Campus
• Cost: $185 to register with a full refund upon successful completion
• Register at: www.blueridge.edu/ael