Facebook has partnered with the online learning platform Coursera to kick start a program aimed at helping "diverse job seekers" land jobs.
The two companies announced the news on Tuesday, and the collaboration resulted in a social media marketing certificate program aimed at people with no prior industry experience who want to "become ready for social media marketing jobs within a few months."
The move comes as the U.S. grapples with job losses caused by the pandemic, and as Facebook seeks to address racial disparities among its ranks.
"We know that this is just the beginning and that we have more work to do to ensure that we create opportunities for talented individuals from all walks of life to build careers in the digital industry,” said Judy Toland, Facebook's vice president and head of scaled solutions and global business marketing.
The certification program was designed to teach social media marketing techniques and the relevant business skills required to land an internship or job in the Facebook advertiser ecosystem, the companies said.
It's a 20-week program that costs $49 per month. It takes roughly four to six months to complete the course, so learners are looking at spending up to $294 total, depending on which specified classes they take.
After completing the certificate, you can share your information with a list of employers who are in the market for diverse talent, including the advertising agency Havas Worldwide, the hairstyling tools company L'ange Hair and the area rug firm Ruggable.
Certificate holders can also toss their hat in the ring for a role at Facebook.
In addition, Coursera will offer the classes for free to some under-served communities through its social impact program.