Goodwill Industries of Dallas and Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth have been selected as two of 125 local Goodwill organizations to provide digital skills training over the next three years under a new project called Goodwill Digital Career Accelerator.
The project was made possible by a $10 million grant from Google.org, according to a release.
Goodwill said that 67 local organizations were competitively chosen for the first round of expanded, enhanced digital skills training courses for more than 1 million people. The remaining organizations will be in a second round next spring.
LOCAL GOODWILL INDUSTRIES AGENCIES RECEIVE $50K
The local agencies have three options for participation in the grant based on their current digital skills training operations, capacity to initiate, enhance, or expand digital skills training, and local labor market demand, the release said. Those three options are, Digital Change Agents, Digital Champions, and Digital Enthusiasts.
The Dallas and Fort Worth agencies are in the Digital Champions option, and each will receive a $50,000 grant to carry out the program.
David Cox, president and CEO of Goodwill Fort Worth said the project will enhance job opportunities in the community.
“There is no question that workers with up-to-date digital skills will be in a better position to advance in today’s labor market.”
David Cox
“The Goodwill Digital Career Accelerator initiative means we at Goodwill Fort Worth will have one more tool to help members of our local community to build their skills and expand their career options,” Cox told the Fort Worth Business Press in a release. “There is no question that workers with up-to-date digital skills will be in a better position to advance in today’s labor market.”
GOOGLE EMPLOYEES WILL VOLUNTEER WITH THE INITIATIVE
Google’s investment and commitment from its employees were critical to getting the project off the ground. Roughly 1,000 Google employees will volunteer with Goodwill organizations over the next three years as part of the Digital Career Accelerator.
“… local, community-based Goodwill organizations will be empowered to be key places where job seekers can build their digital skills.”
Jim Gibbons
“With the $10 million investment from Google.org and the talent invested by Googler volunteers, local, community-based Goodwill organizations will be empowered to be key places where job seekers can build their digital skills,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International.
“From becoming aware of digital career opportunities to learning basic digital skills to earning credentials from entry level to middle skills, Google.org’s investment will equip people to advance their careers and improve their lives.”
Many of the 6 million job openings in the U.S. are unfilled because applicants lack sufficient skills, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
The world’s largest employer of people with disabilities, Goodwill Industries provides job training and career services for people with physical or mental disabilities and other barriers to employment including homelessness, lack of work experience, or lack of education.
READ MORE
Fort Worth Goodwill Offers Life Skills Training for People With Disabilities
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