For the average high school graduate, college may come as the next step. Carmerius Jackson, a 19-year-old, followed the same path. He was attending community college while working at Harris Teeter part time. However, he quickly discovered that path didn’t work out for him.
“I was going to college at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), and I wanted to do something dealing with art, but I kind of figured out college wasn’t for me,” he explained. “The fact that I had to take math and social studies – I saw no point to it. I’d rather work on a craft.”
Once Carmerius learned about working in the trades industry, he got connected with the NextGen program at CPCC. A person within that program recommended him to Goodwill.
“Once I got to Goodwill and started taking trade classes, I quit college and went to trade school full time,” he said. “With the trade classes [at Goodwill], I could learn the trades and still work.”
Carmerius took Goodwill’s Construction Basics course, then went on to take the Electrical Training course. Courses like the ones that Carmerius took are offered free of charge to the community, thanks to donations and shopping at our 31 Charlotte-area retail locations.
At Goodwill, many participants start taking courses to completely change their career paths. The fact that Carmerius saw so many of his peers also starting a new journey encouraged him.
“The classes were pretty cool,” Carmerius said. “Everyone in the class worked as a team to figure things out. It felt like we were all on a journey together. For me to be in the class and see a lot of other people who were making the same decision as me, it put a smile on my face,” he emphasized.
In addition to free courses, Goodwill also provides wraparound services to support participants on their pathway to prosperity. Verona Hendrix, Carmerius’ Career Navigator, helped him to succeed beyond taking the courses. “Verona helped me with my resume and for interviews they taught us how to dress, what our attitude and mentality should be going into the interview, and to ask questions,” he said.
Through working with Matt Robson on Goodwill’s Employer Engagement Team, he quickly got an interview with Adams Electric Company. During the interview, he was hired on the spot! Carmerius is now working for the company as an Electrical Helper.
The hands-on program allows participants to connect with all leaders at the Goodwill Construction Skills Training Center. Camerius recalls a time when Chris Sullivan, Manager of Construction and Training, told him, “‘You show up, do your work and put in the effort and we’ll be behind you.’ When I graduated from the class, he gave me a starter pack of tools that saved me hundreds of dollars,” Carmerius shared.
“Goodwill has done a lot for me in helping me get my OSHA 10 certification and completing my electrical class. Everybody played a role to get me where I am today. I’m very thankful and grateful for that,” he emphasized.
“I would definitely recommend Goodwill if you are trying to get into the trades,” Carmerius said. “There are a variety of classes, and no matter what option you pick, you get the good services that Goodwill provides.”
Join the Conversation