From the website:
Programs & Services: Job Training
Goodwill’s job training programs provide training and support services developed around an individual’s skill level, life situation and career aspirations. Job training programs are also designed to meet the needs of various industry sectors, including retail, hospitality and tourism and general business.
Job training program participants typically pursue one of three paths:
Individuals with developmental and other disabilities who require structured supports to work typically are trained and work at Goodwill. Over time, many transition to work in the community.
Individuals with limited or no work history, low educational attainment and/or language barriers typically complete a work-readiness program as the first step to entering the workforce.
Individuals with some work experience often enroll in programs that provide them with the basic financial, literacy and computer skills needed for entry-level administrative jobs.
Once program graduates enter the workforce, Goodwill provides ongoing support to help them keep their jobs and advance in them. Job Training programs fall into four main categories:
Rehabilitation and Vocational Services
Goodwill offers a variety of short- and long-term rehabilitation and vocational programs designed for individuals with disabilities. Programs are available to a broad array of individuals with varying needs and abilities. Through many of these programs, we assist participants in achieving these goals through a paid work experience that simulates competitive expectations. Job development and job placement activities are provided to ensure positive employment outcomes. Once a position has been secured, job coaching provides support to the individual in achieving and maintaining the employer’s standards.
Long-Term Rehabilitation Programs
Day Habilitation Program offers a broad variety of active treatments that are planned and designed to increase participants’ levels of functioning. This program can lead participants to a possible transition into a work preparation or supported employment program. The program aims to support individuals in reaching their optimal level of physical, intellectual, social, and vocational capability.
Employment Supports Program serves people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities and empowers them to become competitively employed and participating members of their communities. Services include vocational and situational assessment, individual vocational counseling, skills training, computer training classes, as well as social interaction, pre-employment, job development, job placement, and post placement supports.
For more information, please call (617) 541-1242.
Short-Term Rehabilitation Programs
Employment Services is designed to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities through greater choice and flexibility of services. All services are individualized and designed in response to a participant’s preferences, skills, and needs.
Community-Based Employment Services is designed to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities in the community through a wide range and flexibility of services, including assessment, placement, and employment supports to ensure long-term stability in employment.
Vocational Services offers a broad range of innovative and comprehensive services that address rehabilitation, employment, and career development needs for individuals with disabilities.
Vocational Evaluation assists individuals in identifying appropriate job and training options based on their strengths and interests, along with factors that may be obstacles to job placement and maintenance.
School-to-Work Program provides job exploration and hands-on experiences to high school students who wish to investigate vocational opportunities in their community. This program is available through a cooperative effort with the City of Salem, the Salem Public Schools, and the Lynn Public Schools.
For more information, please call (617) 541-1242.
Workforce Development Programs
Workforce Development Programs are targeted to low income men and women with significant barriers to self-sufficiency, including lack of basic skills, chronic unemployment, welfare dependency, and lack of English fluency. Building on its job training expertise in working with individuals with disabilities, Goodwill introduced First Step, its first workforce development program for individuals transitioning from welfare to work, in the fall of 1996. The First Step program has become the prototype for similar programs in six metropolitan areas and has been recognized by The White House as a model for serving individuals with barriers to employment.
Since that time, Goodwill has expanded the scope and number of our Workforce Development training programs to include the following:
First Step: Retail Training
First Step is a three-week retail-training program developed in collaboration with The TJX Companies. Program participants receive training in customer service, basic computer skills, and resume writing. The program guarantees job placement for individuals who successfully complete the program.
Step Up: Office and Computer Skills Training
Step Up is a 16-week program that prepares program participants for work in a professional office setting through office and computer skills training as well as resume writing and Internet skills. Post-placement support is also provided to ensure job retention.
Career Focus: Job Retention and Career Advancement
Career Focus provides post-placement supports to help individuals retain their jobs, advance in their careers and achieve economic self-sufficiency and, when necessary, find re-employment. The program offers case management, referrals for training, seminars on computer training, education, housing and childcare, and clothing assistance for job interviews. Childcare is available for evening workshops.
For more information about Workforce Development programs and eligibility, please contact Programs & Services at (617) 445-1010.
Skills Training
Goodwill skills training program participants have an opportunity to enhance their skills training, gain real work experience, and earn a paycheck by working in one of the following Goodwill’s business enterprises:
Retail Training today continues a tradition that began with Reverend Helms at the turn of the twentieth century. Through work at Goodwill’s processing plant and retail stores, participants gain skills in both the back and front ends of a retail operation. Some participants sort, inspect and tag newly donated clothing and goods, while others work as sales associates in the Goodwill Stores.
Food Services Training provides a training experience in which participants learn at their own pace. Each component, such as dishwashing, salad preparation, grill cooking or deli preparation builds upon the others giving participants a solid background for employment in restaurants and cafeterias in the community.
The Outsource Resource Training consists of closely supervised and structured work for people with disabilities in light assembly, packaging and mailing services under contract to local industry. This work is performed in our modern job training center. Participants learn job skills and gain experience with real work at a competitive wage.
Building and Property Maintenance Services Training is designed to provide on-the-job training and instruction in basic techniques such as daily and periodic cleaning, floor and carpet care, meeting/banquet set-up, and grounds maintenance.
For more information, please contact Maureen Hudd, Manager of In-House Instruction at (617) 541-1229.
Clothing Collaborative for Job Trainees
Launched in 1999, the Clothing Collaborative for Job trainees makes available “professional” clothing to male and female job seekers who participate in Boston-based job training and placement programs to assist them in their efforts to obtain and retain meaningful employment. Clothing is provided free of charge.
The Clothing Collaborative creates an opportunity, through wardrobe seminars scheduled throughout the year, for job training graduates to learn the basics of dressing appropriately for work. Graduates are also able to choose career attire for job interviews or work. Work-appropriate clothing—displayed at clothing seminars—is supplied through clothing drives hosted by local corporations and organizations throughout the year.
Participants from other training programs in the Boston area are invited to participate.
For more information, please call Programs & Services at (617) 445-1010.