Now Hiring” signs are everywhere - so what keeps people from finding a job? There are many reasons. Goodwill Industries of Mississippi is helping to decrease unemployment by focusing on their Mission to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to obtain employment. Barriers can be a disability, education, re-entry after incarceration or rehabilitation, location displacement, and lack of skills and/or resources. With help, these barriers can be removed, turning these obstacles into successes - and that is exactly what Goodwill’s Workforce Development does. Mikayla and David’s stories are shining examples of how striving to learn creates success.
Mikayla came to Goodwill to receive training and to grow her skillset for employment. Her dream job was to work with children. She was directed to enter the Goodwill Customer Service Employment Academy to gain skills on how to better work with people of all ages and backgrounds. Though reluctant at first, Mikayla signed up and her confidence grew daily. She flourished in this class and not only passed the course but received the nationally recognized Customer Service certification from the National Retail Federation. Shortly thereafter, Mikayla applied to the Rankin County School District and landed her dream job. She was hired to work in their Frontier’s Afterschool Program. Mikayla wholeheartedly believes that her completion of the Goodwill Customer Service Employment Academy training program got her this job. Now, Mikayla feels successful and aspires to continue her dream of teaching children.
Michael’s story is different. He graduated college and hit a downward spiral with addiction then went to rehab three times before getting clean. Michael applied time after time for jobs, but no one would hire him. He was referred to Goodwill and entered both the Digital Skills and Customer Service Training Programs. Upon completion he applied at a national commercial company and instantly received an interview call back. The company recognized his National Customer Service Certification and he was immediately hired. Michael states without any doubt that it was his training at Goodwill that got him the job. His confidence is back! David plans to grow with the company and build his future.
Many employment success stories just like Mikayla and Michael’s happen every day at Goodwill Industries of Mississippi. “People just have to seek out what our programs can offer them,” states Vicki Burton, Vice President of Workforce Development. Goodwill changes lives through the power of work.
Goodwill Industries of Mississippi’s Workforce Development has added several new exciting and innovative programs to their services to aid and assist people toward developing skillsets that help their employability. These programs are offered FREE to the public.
The Customer Services Employment Academy teaches and trains customer service fundamentals. Students receive a national certification through the National Retail Federation Program. The Digital Skills/Computer Training Program (on site or virtual, at your own pace), teaches basic to advanced digital skills/computer training and offers up to 12 individual digital skills courses that enhances employment opportunities - (funded by US-DOL with Governor’s Discretionary Grant- Partner MDES) Virtual Reality Career Exploration (scheduled class) offers the opportunity to explore different jobs to spark interest and seek direction toward a career. The lifelike virtual reality presentation allows a student to experience a job they are interested in firsthand. Virtual Reality Interview Training (Scheduled Class) helps prepare someone for a job interview with guidance toward question responses. The virtual reality interview is lifelike without the intimidation of a real interview. Vocational Training, partnering with the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, provides training evaluations at all Goodwill Industries of Mississippi locations.
Goodwill Industries of Mississippi provides many opportunities and resources to assist people who have barriers toward becoming employed. Please contact the Goodwill Workforce Development Department at (601) 853-8110 if you have any questions or would like information on how you can partner with Goodwill Industries of Mississippi to turn employment barriers into life success stories through the power of work.
