“When you’re ready to pursue a career in construction, Goodwill is the best place to start,” said Dymair “Rob” Robinson, a business owner who needed a way to enhance his skills after running into obstacles on the job. “I started my own business in residential remodeling. Anytime I ran into an electrical issue, it felt like hitting a brick wall. I needed to expand my skillset and learn about electricity.”
After his mother told him about Goodwill’s tuition-free training programs, he explored various offerings at the Goodwill Construction Skills Training Center and decided to sign up for Goodwill’s Electrical training program.
Rob was impressed with the curriculum, staff and instructor, who was knowledgeable and engaged with the students.
“It sounded too good to be true. I did not think that there would be such a charismatic and engaged staff. I didn’t think that it would be such a robust and complete program,” he admitted. “The curriculum was straightforward and solid. I never felt like I was wasting time. The instructor, Josh, was experienced. That makes all the difference when someone’s teaching you and they know what they’re talking about.”
In addition to learning new skills in the classroom, participants in Goodwill’s training programs are assigned a Career Navigator who helps them with their resumes, interview preparation and more. Verona Hendricks, the Goodwill Career Navigator assigned to Rob, helped him transform his jumbled work experience into a clear-cut, professional resume.
“The help was immense. Verona helped me tighten up my resume that’s been a boogeyman in my closet for years,” he laughed. “She got my mindset geared towards furthering my career, and she made me very confident in the whole process.”
Participants also gain free access to Goodwill’s Employer Engagement Team, who assist participants further by connecting them to local hiring employers by setting up job interviews, career fairs and more. With their help, Rob earned a position with Pitt Electric.
“They helped me set up interviews, put in applications and connected me with job fairs. They took all the steps to get my foot in the door, or at least put the opportunity in front of me,” Rob emphasized. “Now I’m in an apprenticeship, building up experience. I plan to learn as much as I can until I master it. Then I’ll reopen my business; but until then, I’m fine being a student again.”
Training programs at Goodwill are able to be offered to the community absolutely free of charge thanks to shopping and donating at Goodwill’s 36 retail locations, along with philanthropic contribtuions from donors. Rob is grateful for the opportunity provided by Goodwill, allowing him to take evening classes and still work his day job.
“I have an uncle taking a similar course, and he’s paying cash out of pocket for the same kind of value that I’m getting for free,” he stated. “I really couldn’t afford to pay another college tuition. I’m able to do this for free and get paid while I’m doing it — it’s a double blessing. I’ve multiplied my skillset in the months I’ve been [taking courses] with Goodwill.”
If you would like to help fund Goodwill’s programs and services that we offer to the community free of charge, consider dropping off your gently used donations at one of our locations or making a financial contribution.
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