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IBM-Goodwill Partnership To Provide Technology Education And Training

IBM Earns Goodwill International's Business Partner Award

June 27, 2006

Rockville, MD – Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey (Astoria) and IBM Corporation have collaborated in the New York area for the past 15 years to bridge the digital divide for people who are not currently equipped to work in an increasingly high-tech job market. Goodwill Industries International honors the efforts of this corporate partnership with its 2006 Business Partner Award.

IBM has donated hardware, software, and technical assistance to Goodwill, all of which have been incorporated into its three Family Learning Centers. These contributions have allowed over 5,000 youth, people with disabilities, mature workers, and others access to free education, training and employment services.

“Technology skills are critical to meet the core needs of employers. Today’s entry-level positions require some level of technology education and training,” says George W. Kessinger, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Goodwill’s mission is to prepare today’s workers to meet tomorrow’s business demands. Because technology is changing the landscape of the economy and the way we live our lives, Goodwill clients must acquire this core competency.”

One element of the partnership included the donation of IBM’s Web Adaptation Technology software--valued at $35,000--which enables people with visual impairments to customize images on their computer screens for improved readability, and to modify settings so their computers are more user-friendly. Goodwill also made this software available at its Brooklyn WorkForce1 Career Center and at one-stop centers throughout New York City’s five boroughs, enabling 956 clients with visual impairments to train and search for employment online.

This partnership complements the missions of both organizations – Goodwill has been able to provide technology-based education and training at no cost to its clients, and IBM has increased access to and knowledge of its products, creating a base of potential workers and customers for the future.

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The Business Partner Award is given to a business, company or organization that has invested significant resources into building the capacity of member Goodwill organizations across a wide geographic area. Although the Business Partner Award does not correspond to a specific strategy of the 21st Century Initiative, GII recognizes that collaboration between the Goodwill movement and the business sector is central to carrying out the goals of the initiative.