ABOUT THE CENTER
We’re opening a new Career & Employment Center in Gastonia! The new center, which is located at 359 W. Main Avenue, will open to the public on Monday, November 4.
Goodwill’s new Gastonia Career & Employment Center not only supports economic growth detailed in Gaston County’s 2040 vision, but the new and larger space will allow us to expand our program and service offerings. Here are just a few things job seekers can expect when visiting the new center:
- Bright, modern and welcoming workspaces where innovation and learning can thrive.
- Career Navigators who can help you with your job search, resume and interview skills.
- Tuition-free training programs that can help you get the skills and certifications you need to launch a new career or advance your current one.
- GoodWork Staffing, our staffing agency that can help you find work quickly.
- Meeting and event spaces that can be rented for business meetings, group gatherings, hiring events and more.
If you need help finding a job, learning new skills or figuring out your next career move, we hope you’ll stop by our new location! Our former Gastonia Career & Employment Center, located at 116 Armstrong Street, closed permanently on Thursday, October 31.
SNEAK PEEK
The Messer Construction Co. Foundation has awarded Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont $25,000 to support the construction of a new model home at Goodwill’s Construction Skills Training Center. Once construction is complete, the model home will become a regular tool to provide hands-on training throughout the Construction & Trade Skills Training program. As a sustainable structure, the model home will be vital in meeting the needs of program curriculum as the construction industry evolves over time.
“It’s really gratifying to support an organization that is committed to creating pathways to careers in the construction industry,” said Chris Malinowski, vice president, Charlotte region leader at Messer Construction Co. “High-quality, hands-on training provides a sense of what it’s like to work in the skilled trades: It’s rewarding, collaborative, and offers ample opportunities for advancement. We can’t wait to see the model home be constructed and for Goodwill’s Construction Skills Training Center to continue making an impact in the Charlotte community.”
As October is Careers in Construction Month, this investment is especially timely. With the construction industry facing a significant shortage of skilled workers, hands-on training programs like Goodwill’s are more critical than ever. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, 91% of construction firms in North Carolina are struggling to find skilled labor. This model home, once completed, will play a pivotal role in preparing the next generation of skilled craft professionals who can help close that gap in the greater Charlotte region.
“Careers in Construction Month serves as a reminder of the vital role the construction industry plays in our economy and communities,” said Marvin Kelley, Director of Construction & Trade Skills Training at Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont. “This generous support from the Messer Construction Co. Foundation will provide our participants with hands-on training that closely simulates the real-world work they’ll do onsite upon program completion. We’re excited to strengthen our program and continue preparing the next generation of skilled workers for success.”
Goodwill’s Construction Skills Training program, along with the addition of this new model home, will help train local residents for rewarding careers in construction—a sector that offers stability, growth opportunities, and a chance to build a lasting legacy. Through this partnership with Messer Construction Co., Goodwill will continue to support economic mobility and provide essential skills training to individuals in the Charlotte area.