For some, finding a job can be easy, but for others, it can be a difficult task because they either don’t have the education or skills required, or perhaps no one has given them the chance to work.
Finding work can be critical to one’s self-esteem and low self-esteem can make it even more difficult for someone to find a job or to even continue looking for employment. Goodwill, however, “believes that paid, productive work is integral to the positive self-esteem of individuals and to the success of the communities in which those individuals live.”
In 2016, more than 43,000 people got help from Goodwill Career Services in middle and west Tennessee with more than 17,000 of those people landing jobs afterward.
Goodwill helps people who need it to gain skills and help them find long term jobs. Several ways they do this is by providing job search, direct job placement, job counseling, computer skills, occupational skills, and job readiness for those with disabilities.
The career center, which is part of a vast network of employers, actively seeks to hire new team members year round and works with individuals and companies to match them together. During this process, they also host weekly job fairs and hiring events across Middle and West Tennessee.
As far as computer skills, they offer three classes for those who want to learn basic skills and those who already know how to use a computer but want more advanced skills. This often includes programs like Microsoft Word and Excel as well as generally learning how to use a computer and the internet.
For those that need it, they offer classes and workshops that offer specific occupational skills geared to give participants quality training and certifications they may need from how to use a forklift to construction skills. Upon completion, participants have the skills for entry-level jobs in whatever field they wish to work.
Also, in an effort to help those with disabilities find work, Goodwill created the Transitional Employment program. During this program, participants learn to work both independently and in team environments. During this process, some participants may train up to three months in a specific paid or unpaid training program at Goodwill while others will be assisted with direct job placement services within the community.
While Goodwill is known for the above services, they also offer several youth programs for people between the ages of 17 and 25 for those that may need help transitioning into the work world. While it can include those who have high school diplomas, it isn’t necessary.
When you shop at Goodwill, you help provide jobs and free job training services for thousands of Tennesseans. Once each item sells, the revenue from that sale supports Goodwill’s community-based employment and training programs. See one of the many Goodwill Success stories below:
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