My Story: Ashley Cole

Teacher wearing glasses leans over a desk in a bright classroom.

After I graduated high school in 2010, I was home for a year with nothing to do. Goodwill helped me fill out a job application for the daycare center that I’m at now. I want to keep working at this job as long as I can—keeping smiles on the kids’ faces, keeping them learning.

House Reauthorizes Workforce Programs in Historic Vote

Diverse group of six workers wearing safety vests posing in front of a loading dock.

Following the Senate’s overwhelming 95–3 vote in June, the House voted 415–6 on July 9 to approve H.R. 803, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The bill will now go to President Barack Obama for his signature.

Meeting Alternatives Make the Best Use of Everyone's Time

James from Seattle, WA, asks, “My team loves meetings … but we tend not to accomplish a whole lot and sometimes I hardly have time to do my regular job. How can I convince everyone that not every decision requires a meeting?”

My Story: John Geter

Man with dreadlocks wearing a suit at a Goodwill event in front of a branded backdrop.

It has been a pretty good situation because I ended up with a job and got to meet a lot of new people and mentoring to other peers at Goodwill.

Out of Many, One

Diverse group of six workers wearing safety vests posing in front of a loading dock.

Recently, the U.S. Senate demonstrated how differences can eventually be overcome and turned into unity. On June 24, it voted overwhelmingly to pass the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (H.R. 803). Now it’s the U.S. House of Representative’s turn to demonstrate its ability to discuss differences and then move forward in a positive direction.

Problem Brewing? Observe, Listen and Ask

Diverse group of six workers wearing safety vests posing in front of a loading dock.

Zadie from Tyler, TX, asks, “Sometimes, I can sense that the people I work with are getting frustrated with me, but I’m not sure why or what I’m doing wrong. I’m feeling pretty indecisive about how to handle these situations.”

Senate Passes Long-Overdue Job Training Bill: On to the House

Diverse group of six workers wearing safety vests posing in front of a loading dock.

Yesterday, the full Senate voted 95-3 to pass the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The Senate’s action clears the bill for House consideration. WIOA is a long-overdue bipartisan and bicameral compromise to reauthorize and update the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), the law that shapes the nation’s approach to job training. Goodwill has worked for years […]

How to Reap the Benefits of a Group Interview

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Kristine from New York City asks, “I am applying for jobs and have been scheduled to participate in a group interview. What can I expect, and how can I ensure that the interviewers remember me?”

Attitude Is a Big Dog That Must Be Tamed

Diverse group of six workers wearing safety vests posing in front of a loading dock.

Mike from Chicago asks, “My coworker pulled me aside the other day and told me my negativity was bringing everyone down. I can’t change my entire personality for them, but are there small things I can do to make our working relationship easier?”

Major Provisions of Title IV in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

Diverse group of six workers wearing safety vests posing in front of a loading dock.

The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program provides employment and support services to people with disabilities. Seen as having achieved mixed results, this year Congress is likely to reauthorize the nation’s job training program through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which would impact VR.