News Release

Goodwill Industries of Eastern North Carolina (Durham) created the GCF Global Learning^® program in response to the need of reaching job seekers in outlying, rural areas and to provide a means for program graduates to maintain acquired skills.  The program is designed to be accessible to anyone with access to the Internet.

The GCF Global Learning program teaches computer skills using the components of Microsoft Office^®, and life skills such as money management basics, and resume preparation.  The program focuses on job seeking skills and has strategic relationships with employers in the local area and works to refer graduates to appropriate job opportunities.  Program participants may use the training at any time, and work at their own pace.  It is offered in both English and Spanish, and a participant can choose to work with an online instructor.  Tests and quizzes provide learning feedback, and certificates are given to those who successfully complete the program.  Course materials are updated regularly. 

“The GCF Global Learning Program is an extraordinary use of technology and the Internet to provide people with free access to learning opportunities,” says George W. Kessinger, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International.  “Many of today’s entry level jobs require some level of technology and computer skills.”

As part of its specific design, people with disabilities are also able to use the program site.  The site accommodates adaptive technological devices by conforming to the strictest accessibility standards for web sites today.  In 2004, there were 140,000 individual users in 141 countries.  Of those, more than 27,000 became registered users and more than 600 people took the training each day.

The GCF Global Learning Program has earned Goodwill Industries International’s Technology Connections Award.  The purpose of the award is to recognize, reward, and share best practices for carrying out the fourth strategy of the Goodwill Industries 21st Century Initiative:  Focus on technology training and resources as a means of workplace success.