ROCKVILLE, MD — Goodwill Industries International will promote virtual career exploration and opportunities in the health care field through a new federal grant. The U.S. Department of Labor announced the release of $14.7 million in health care career grants supported by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Goodwill Industries International is one of four grantees, which include the American Association of Community Colleges, the International Association of Jewish Vocational Services and SER-Jobs for Progress National, Inc.
Goodwill’s Good Prospects program will help seven Goodwill independent agencies acquire adequate computer technology equipment for career exploration and development, provide software tools for pre-training and training activities, and provide computer literacy and training for career development instruction and facilitators.
“Job growth in the health care industry remains strong and Goodwill agencies in eight states are ready to provide the technology training to help people find jobs in this in demand field,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Good Prospects will allow Goodwill to customize services to help people in 84 rural, suburban and urban communities find jobs, earn paychecks and care for their families.“
Goodwill will divide $3 million dollars among seven Goodwill agencies:
- Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee (Nashville, TN)
- Goodwill of Central Arizona (Phoenix, AZ)
- Goodwill of Northern New England (Portland, ME)
- Goodwill Industries of the Valleys (Roanoke, VA)
- Goodwill Industries of Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo Counties (Santa Cruz, CA)
- Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana (Shreveport, LA), and
- Land of Lincoln Goodwill Industries (Springfield, IL)
Good Prospects’ services will be integrated into Goodwill’s existing career training programs and include:
- Outreach and recruitment through Goodwill’s workforce development programs and partnerships;
- Job resource options, particularly in healthcare, through technology and the internet;
- Virtual career assessment tools to help in the career decision making process
“Since 1902, Goodwill has helped people with disabilities, those who lack education or work experience and others facing challenges to finding employment,” explained Gibbons. “Goodwill served nearly 2 million people last year and is uniquely qualified to provide the virtual career exploration solutions to help people find employment and build their careers.”
