Throughout September, Goodwill Industries of the Valleys is celebrating National Workforce Development Month which recognizes the hard work and significant impact made by workforce professionals in advancing national and local economies today.
 
“From résumé building and interview preparation to connecting job seekers to local employers and community colleges, Goodwill provides a range of services to help job seekers find good, sustainable jobs,” said Stephanie Hoer, Vice President of Mission Services. “Since Goodwill's inception, the revenue generated from the sale of donated items has helped fund job training and employment programs for individuals throughout Central, Southwest, and Southside Virginia”
 
Goodwill wants to help empower individuals in our communities by providing a hand up, and not a handout. The GoodCare Healthcare training and GoodStart Reentry are a couple of programs that assist people in getting back to work. Both programs help individuals with educational assistance, training, job coaching, supportive services, and employment placement.
 
At a time when millions of people across the nation are still looking for work, Goodwill is working to help people in our local communities obtain the needed job skills and training to secure employment and obtain self-sufficiency and upward economic mobility. In 2021, Goodwill served 38,446 youth, adults, and seniors, placed 670 people into jobs in our community, and helped individuals attain 2,949 industry-recognized credentials allowing them to be more competitive in their job search and find higher-paying employment.
 
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s latest jobs report, nationally, unemployment has remained the same (currently at 3.6 percent for the fourth straight month) and wages are growing; however, millions of workers across the country still struggle with underemployment and low wages and more than 11 million jobs currently remain unfilled.
 
Goodwill Industries of the Valleys is committed to doing its part in responding to the gap in employment and skills training and supporting those individuals in Central, Southwest, and Southside Virginia who face obstacles to finding employment today.
 
For individuals interested in Goodwill programs for adults and youth, please visit www.goodwillvalleys.comfor more information or to complete an interest form for services.