Initially announced by First Lady Jill Biden in May at an invite only event attended by Goodwill Industries International, the Biden administration has begun hosting kickoff events for Workforce Hub cities. The hubs will bring together employers, labor, worker groups, community colleges, k-12, NGOs, and local governments to create new sectoral partnerships to scale quality training pathways to ensure a diverse and skilled workforce can meet the demand for labor. The first five hubs include: Baltimore, MD; Phoenix, AZ; Columbus, OH; Pittsburgh, PA; and Augusta, GA. There are plans to replicate the work with partners across the country.
Category: The Goodwill Blog
Diving In: How Second-Hand Summer Reading Inspiration Can Make an Impact
With beach and park season upon us, basking in the sun with a good book is a given. There’s no better time to dive into the world of books and restart a love of reading than the summer, where relaxation suddenly seems that much more possible. Through the magic of second-hand books, you can embark on your summer reading journey in the most affordable way – letting you immerse yourself in captivating stories and travel through the pages, while saving for that weekend getaway you’ve been thinking about.
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Congress Returns for a Hectic Few Weeks
Congress returned to DC following a two-week recess around the 4th of July and there are few legislative days left before they break again for the August recess. Both chambers have long lists of priority legislation that they would like to advance before they depart.
Informational Interviewing: what is it and how can you use it?
This blog covers informational interviewing and its benefits. Informational interviewing is a great way to find out the specifics surrounding a particular job. If you are interested in learning more about what this skill is and how to utilize it, keep reading!
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My Story: Taylor Devenport
When Taylor Devenport was young, she says she was a fearful little girl who was afraid of her own shadow. Born two months premature, she faced developmental delays that led to struggles in reading, writing and math. While in high school, she needed extra time to complete class work and was enrolled in special education classes to address her learning challenges. In recognition of how far she’s come from seeking Goodwill services to happily providing assistance to others as a senior job coach, Taylor recently received the Goodwill Industries International 2023 Achiever of the Year award.
My Story: Katie Reigelsperger
Through grit, determination and tenacity in taking full advantage of professional development opportunities at Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana (Indianapolis), Katie Reigelsperger overcame tremendous obstacles in her path to become an entrepreneur focused on helping others succeed. This June, Katie was recognized for her growth and achievements with the Goodwill Industries International Kenneth Shaw Graduate of the Year award. The award recognizes an outstanding person with a disability or disadvantaging condition who completed a Goodwill career services program and is competitively employed by a non-Goodwill employer.
Backyard BBQ Outfits That Will Keep You Cool, While Looking Hot
Backyard barbeque season is finally here! Kicking off with the Fourth of July, there’s no better way to celebrate summer than hanging out with friends and family with some deliciously grilled food. Whether you’re gearing up for a relaxing day outdoors or are looking to dress to impress for a fireworks show, Goodwill has you covered when it comes to amazing statement pieces for your outfit.
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House Committee Examines Skills-based Pathways to Good Jobs
The House Education and Labor Committee recently held a hearing titled “Competencies Over Degrees: Transitioning to a Skills-Based Economy” that examined how federal policies could help facilitate skills-focused education and hiring. In her opening statement, Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) argued for building up alternative pathways for learning and skills attainment, as well as prioritizing skills-based hiring across industry sectors and occupations.
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My Story: Carla Thomas
It’s never too late to head back to school. Carla earned her high school diploma and a pharmacy technician certification when she enrolled in the Goodwill Memphis Excel Center. With industry-recognized training programs and dual college credit, adults looking to level up their skills can get their diploma and set their career path back on track just like Carla. Read her story and learn more about our Excel Center at the link below.
Start or Advance Your Career With Stackable Google Career Certificates: Google IT Certificates – Part II
In part 2 of our blog series on stackable credentials, we will delve deeper into the world of stackable credentials with an overview of Google’s IT certificate programs. IT stackable credentials have become prevalent as individuals seek to enhance their skills to enter or advance their careers in the industry. Google's four IT certificate programs, IT Support, Cybersecurity, UX Design, and Automation with Python, are fantastic opportunities to stack IT credentials. This blog will provide an overview of these four certificates and best practices for completion. Join us for part 2 of this 3-part blog series as we further explore the stackable credential world and see how they can be essential to new opportunities.
Summer Solstice Brings a Welcome Shift Towards New Beginnings
The summer solstice, or the long-awaited first day of summer, marks a time of warmth, growth, and renewal. As the sun shines brighter and longer, there’s a perfect opportunity to embrace new beginnings in our lives. The arrival of summer can mean so much more than bonus time spent outdoors.
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Nonprofit Partnerships Summit Highlights New Federal Funding Opportunities
Goodwill Industries International (GII) representatives joined other stakeholders for a Nonprofit Partnerships Summit at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Officials from the Commerce Department and other federal agencies shared information about their programs, resources, technical assistance, and funding opportunities for nonprofit partners to explore.
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