Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont is receiving a substantial financial contribution toward its mission. The nonprofit was awarded a grant from The Lennar Foundation and the Charles Koch Foundation.
“We are thrilled to receive this investment in our mission,” said LaRita Barber, Chief Advancement Officer for Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont. “Financial contributions like this one make it possible for us to offer job training programs at no cost to community members. We know that sustainable employment is a key driver of economic mobility and prosperity, and programs like our Construction & Trade Skills training program help people build the skills they need to succeed.”
Funding will support Goodwill’s Construction Basics program, which provides participants with foundational skills for employment in the construction industry. The 10-week program, delivered at the Goodwill Construction Skills Training Center, includes instruction in job site safety, basic math and tool identification, and it serves as the prerequisite to advanced programs also offered at the center.
“Employment opportunities in the construction industry are growing rapidly, but many job seekers lack the skills employers need,” said Marvin Kelley, Director for Construction & Trade Skills training at Goodwill. “Our program bridges that gap by providing hands-on training and industry-recognized certifications to set participants up for long-term success.”
Upon completion, participants earn National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Core and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 30-hour certifications. They also receive support from Goodwill staff, who provide wraparound services such as resume prep, mock interviews and assistance in building employability skills.
The Goodwill Construction Skills Training Center opened in 2019 to create a pathway for upward mobility through the trades, while also addressing the labor shortage of local construction companies. Since then, the Goodwill program has graduated 850 adult learners, increased its list of employer partners and created a pipeline of talent to local construction companies.
