Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont has relocated its Gastonia Career and Employment Center. The new location, in downtown Gastonia at 359 W Main Ave., is a one-stop opportunity for job seekers to access stability services, resume writing and job search support; engage in tuition-free job training programs; and access local employment opportunities through the organization’s nonprofit staffing company, GoodWork Staffing. Moving downtown from its previous location on Armstrong Street will provide Gaston County residents easier access to Goodwill’s impactful services.
“Through everything we do at Goodwill, we aim to help people see possibilities, seize opportunities and prosper,” said Chris Jackson, President & CEO, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont. “In 2023, we helped more than 950 people advance their lives in Gaston County through our career center services and GoodWork Staffing. That’s why we’re happy to invest in this community by providing a larger and more accessible space, with more resources and services for people to advance their careers and improve their lives.”
The nonprofit will formally announce the relocation of its Gastonia Career and Employment Center during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, November 15, 2024, at 9 a.m. Attendees of the grand opening event will have the option to tour the new facility, take advantage of resume building and job search services, learn about upcoming workshops, watch a live demonstration of virtual reality software used in construction career training, and enter a raffle to win a laptop.
Many people know Goodwill for its stores, but it’s the nonprofit’s mission to help people build pathways to pursue the life they want to achieve. Services offered at Career and Employment Centers (in Gastonia and Charlotte) are provided free of charge, thanks to donations and shopping at its 36 retail stores and more than 40 donation sites in the region.
The new and larger space allows the nonprofit to expand its course offerings and services to the Gaston County community. The Gastonia Career and Employment Center also allows more space and convenient access for Goodwill to bring together nonprofits, government agencies, hiring businesses and the community to support workforce development and continue to work together to increase access to opportunity in Gaston County.
“Expanding our training courses in Gaston County will not only allow us to serve more people but provide new career opportunities to the people in the Gaston community,” said Liz Romero, Director of Regional Services, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont. “This larger space provides a place for partners to be on site, host hiring events, enroll more people in classes and meet the needs of our participants in this community by providing more resources to them through our Goodwill offerings and partnering with established and trusted organizations within the county.”
The new Career and Employment Center will create a more open and flexible environment, where innovation and learning can thrive, and participants can experience a modern and welcoming workspace, reminiscent of today’s work environment. Features include:
- Updated classrooms with new technology and spaces that encourage collaboration and innovation while learning.
- Additional seating and collaborative spaces to foster interaction between participants and Goodwill team members.
- Multi-use spaces that strengthen Goodwill partnerships by providing room for outside organizations and employers, and spaces for indoor community events, mentorship, and networking.
Starting 2025, the Gastonia Career and Employment Center will begin offering:
- Interplay Learning – A digital training platform for craft trades such as construction, electrical, HVAC, solar and maintenance – through Oculus headsets in the metaverse.
- OSHA 10 – A trade training course that will certify participants in Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
- Construction Basics – An introductory, hands-on program where participants will learn the basics in safety, hand and power tools, construction math, materials handling, construction drawings, rigging and employability skills.
- Personal Branding Workshop – Participants will learn about what personal branding is and how to align it with their career goals, including the importance and impact of social media presence — the good, the bad, and the ugly — and how to turn on privacy features. Attendees will also learn how to attend and present oneself at networking events or job fairs, and integrating knowledge about automated tracking systems.
- Resume Workshop – Participants will leave with a well-outlined resume and the chance to schedule one-on-one sessions with a Goodwill career coach to fine-tune their details and highlight specialized experience.
Additionally, every Tuesday from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., DSS will be on-site at the Gastonia Career and Employment Center to help with applications for assistance with food, childcare, Medicaid, utilities, and unemployment.
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