Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids is among the 125 Goodwill organizations that were competitively chosen to be the first to provide digital skills training services through a new initiative with Google. The Goodwill Digital Career AcceleratorSM is made possible by a $10 million grant from Google and volunteer assistance from 1,000 Google employees.
Over the next three years, the Goodwill Digital Career Accelerator will result in more than 1 million people around the United States being trained in skills that will make them more marketable workers for the digital age.
“The Goodwill Digital Career Accelerator initiative means we at Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids have one more tool to help local members of our community build their skills and expand their career options,” said Jill Wallace, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. “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.”
Digital skills include basic computer skills that would be used to establish an email address, apply for a job or perform many entry level tasks. More advanced digital skills include computer support or programming, digital marketing, and cybersecurity, which are increasingly relevant for achieving well-paying, in-demand careers across the country.
“As a baseline, employers look for workers and job applicants who can proficiently use computers and other electronic devices,” said Jacquelline Fuller, CEO of Google.org. “The Goodwill Digital Career Accelerator will greatly assist those hoping to get ahead in their careers and obtain the types of jobs that will remain in demand for years to come in a demanding digital economy.”
Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids will receive a $300,000 grant to fund its participation in the Goodwill Digital Career Accelerator.
To see the full list of participating Goodwill organizations and their geographic areas, visit https://www.goodwill.org/dca/
About Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids
Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to changing lives and communities through the power of work. Since 1966, the organization has offered a wide range of employment and training programs to assist those with disabilities and other barriers to employment in developing their marketable skills in order to find meaningful employment. Its efforts are supported by revenue from its 20 retail stores in a five-county area, as well as from monetary donations. For more information, visit www.goodwillgr.org.
About Google
Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. Through products and platforms like Search, Maps, Gmail, Android, Google Play, Chrome and YouTube, Google plays a meaningful role in the daily lives of billions of people and has become one of the most widely-known companies in the world. Google is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.