Primary school principal urges residents to take up free digital skills training
Residents are being urged to sign up for free online training after early access to the scheme helped a primary school community build practical digital skills and confidence.
St David’s Primary School was given early access to Grow with Google as part of Google’s support for the school and its wider community engagement connected to the Nuvem transatlantic cable project and planned cable landing station in St David’s.
The programme has now launched island-wide through a partnership between Bermuda College and Google, with hundreds of scholarships available to residents.
Dr Gladstone Thompson, Principal of St David’s Primary School, said parents and staff had already seen the value of the opportunity.
He said: “St David’s is unique in that we have this opportunity. It is something that we cherish, and we are so grateful to Google for choosing us.”
More than 50 parents and staff signed up after the programme was introduced at a packed PTA meeting attended by Bermuda College President Dr David Sam.
Dr Thompson said several members of the school community had already started courses, including himself.
He said: “My experience is that I have completed two certificates with AI, and it has been very exciting. I am going to do my best to engage in as many things as possible with Grow with Google.”
Parent liaison Dommonique Desilva has also taken part, focusing on project management and e-commerce.
She said the training was practical, flexible and useful for people at different stages of life.
Ms Desilva said: “I would definitely recommend the programme. It provides practical skills, creates opportunities for personal and professional growth, and is flexible enough for people at different stages of life.
“More importantly, it empowers individuals to invest in themselves and their future.”
Ms Desilva said the response from parents and others had been “very positive and curious”.
She added: “Once people understand the opportunities available through the programme, they quickly see its value. Many are excited by the possibility of gaining new skills, exploring career pathways, and improving their confidence in digital spaces.”
She said age should not be seen as a barrier.
“What matters most is a willingness to learn, stay consistent, and apply new skills,” Ms Desilva said.
“One of the biggest lessons from this experience is that when parents invest in their own learning, they set a powerful example for their children.
“Home is the first school, and children often learn perseverance, discipline and confidence by watching the adults around them.”
Grow with Google gives residents access to online, self-paced courses designed to help people learn new skills, reskill, upskill or retrain.
Five hundred scholarships have been awarded to Bermuda residents and, by signing up, people will get access to a vast number of courses until December 31, 2027.
The programme includes foundational Google Career Certificates in cybersecurity, data analytics, IT support, digital marketing and e-commerce, project management and user experience design.
Advanced certificates include advanced data analytics, business intelligence and IT automation with Python. Shorter courses include AI Essentials, Prompting Essentials and Agile Essentials.
The courses are 100 per cent online. Foundational certificates are designed for learners with no prior experience and can typically be completed in three to six months of part-time study. Shorter courses can be completed in about five to seven hours.
After completing a course, participants receive an official Google certificate of completion that can be added as a badge to professional profiles on LinkedIn.
To learn more or sign up, go to the Grow with Google
Scholarship Request Form (Grow with Google Scholarship Request Form)
or email