SIUE and The Wedge Launch Regional AI Learnathon to Expand Workforce Skills in Southern Illinois

SIUE and The Wedge Launch Regional AI Learnathon to Expand Workforce Skills in Southern Illinois

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, in partnership with The Wedge, has launched a Grow with Google Summer AI Learnathon Series-a community-based initiative bringing practical AI and digital workforce training directly to residents, employers, and learners across the region.

The kickoff event, held at The Wedge Innovation Center in Alton, focused on hands-on learning and immediate engagement, helping participants move beyond awareness and begin building job-ready skills through the Google AI Professional Certificate.

Recently, SIUE announced the SIU System-wide pilot program with Google's no-cost training licenses offering Google Career Certificates and Specialization. Of the nearly 250 enrolled across the initiative, 22 participants attended the in-person learnathon, hosted by The Wedge, to begin working directly in AI credential pathways.

"At SIUE, we believe education should be accessible, practical, and aligned with real-world opportunities. The Grow with Google Learnathon reflects that commitment by helping learners take immediate, meaningful steps toward building skills that support both personal and professional growth and build confidence for the next steps in their educational journeys.," said Denise Cobb, PhD, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

In addition to certifications in AI, Google Workforce Certifications and Specializations also include cybersecurity, data analytics, business intelligence, people management, digital marketing and e-commerce, and user experience (UX). Visit the information page for the current catalog.

The certification program offered through SIUE is available for enrolled students, faculty and staff, SIUE alumni, community members and local employers who wish to further their education and upskill areas of online proficiency by partnering with SIUE and participating at no cost in some cases. A maximum of 15 credit hours are available for qualified participating undergraduates.
The roster for the inaugural Learnathon included community members, entrepreneurs, a range of working professionals and employers.

This initiative reflects SIUE's commitment to providing accessible, workforce-aligned education that directly supports economic development in southern Illinois.

The Wedge is a 55,000 sq ft social impact, research lab, think tank, and workspace serving as a hub for the digital economy in the Alton Metro Region. Born out of the community revitalization efforts of AltonWorks and leveraging the assets of SIUE, The Wedge brings together entrepreneurs, researchers, and professionals under one roof, combining coworking spaces with cutting-edge research facilities. The Learnathon is part of an ongoing summer series of weekly sessions, designed to support continued progress, employer engagement, and long-term credential completion. Anyone interested in starting can visit SIUE on the 2nd floor of The Wedge on Fridays between 8:30am-4:30pm.

PHOTOS: SIUE Team at The Wedge Innovation Center; Classroom photos by Tammy Moore, EdD, Manager of Federal, State, and Licensure Compliance in the Office of Educational Outreach