Lester Perez arrived in the United States from Nicaragua with a plan to excel in the construction industry. Thanks to Goodwill’s tuition-free training programs, Lester is now working as an electrician apprentice and building his career in Charlotte. 

“The political situation in my country is very bad, and the US government opened a window for people from my country to come legally here to America. So I said, ‘Let’s take advantage of this.’” 

“I needed to find a job,” Lester explained. “My desire was to work in the construction industry. I went to Central Piedmont Community College to find out about English classes. They told me I didn’t need them, but they gave me a link to Goodwill, and I started from there.” 

Lester signed up for Goodwill’s Construction Basics and Blueprint Reading & Estimating training programs. He had some prior construction experience in his home country, but Goodwill’s training programs helped him understand construction skills in his new home.  

 “The Construction Basics program was great because I was able to learn the materials, how things are here, and that was the starting point,” he shared. “I was impressed with the quality of the material, the books, and the presentations.” 

Today, Lester is an electrician apprentice at BESCO, where he assists journeymen with projects, including major initiatives at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. He also recently started a four-year apprenticeship program to help him learn more skills.  

“I applied for the program, went through assessments, and had a panel interview. They had a huge demand, but thank God, I made it,” he exclaimed. “I put a lot of effort into it because I really want to build a career here.” 

In addition to training courses, Goodwill participants are given wraparound services, including a Career Navigator to help them reach their career goals. Keitha Stewart helped Lester secure his apprenticeship spot with her resume and interview assistance.  

“My Career Navigator helped me by constructing my resume,” Lester said. “I had a resume, but it was done in the way we do it in my country. The timing was perfect because after that, I sent it to the apprenticeship program, and they hired me. She also helped me practice for the panel interview, and it helped me a lot.” 

Goodwill’s tuition-free programs, funded by material donations and financial contributions, made a significant impact on Lester’s journey. 

“I had no money, but I knew that I had to study or go to school. I found Goodwill, and it was free,” he said. “It was the perfect first step.”  

“The work that Goodwill does is amazing,” he emphasized. “I’m so thankful for the work you do and for the opportunity you gave me.”  

If you’d like to help fund tuition-free courses that empower individuals like Lester on his pathway to prosperity, consider dropping off gently used donations at one of Goodwill’s retail stores or donation locations, or take your impact even further by making a financial contribution.