Although Goodwill’s local Job Connection career centers are closed to walk-in traffic, useful services and resources are available online at no charge. Job seekers, people with questions about their unemployment claims, and those who need to be connected to community resources can find support and assistance through the virtual Job Connection link at www.GoodwillWorks.org. 

“These are challenging times for all of us, and we know some people are feeling unsure about how they’re going to support their families,” said Leah Pontani, Vice President of Career Development at Goodwill of Middle Georgia and the CSRA. “Our staff members certainly miss the in-person contact with our clients. But we stand ready to assist, and with the help of available technology, we are delivering career services and access to information that can help people through this difficult time.”

Last year, Job Connection career centers served nearly 17,000 people, placing 6,700 into meaningful employment.

Pontani said even in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Job Connection career counselors can connect job seekers with a long list of area companies that are actively hiring. Career counselors are also working with local businesses and Goodwill Staffing Services to build partnerships that will lead to future hiring opportunities for Job Connection^TM clients.”

In addition to career services that include resume review and interview preparation, virtual Job Connections offer Grow With Google programs to access a number of self-paced online job search training modules. Online training from GCFLearnFree includes more than 7,000 lessons and 1,000 videos on more than 200 career-boosting topics. These are all provided at no charge.

Signing up via the virtual career services link at www.GoodwillWorks.org secures an access code sent via email to take advantage of the free programming.

Long-term, economists are projecting that post-pandemic unemployment rates could rival the 25 percent rate experienced during the Great Depression in 1933. The Small Business Administration says some of Georgia’s 900,000 small businesses will permanently close, impacting 1.9 million people previously on their payrolls.

“Our services are more critical than ever to help people get back to work,” said James Stiff, President and CEO of the local Goodwill. “Goodwill wants to be there for anyone looking to embark on a life-changing career path - now, and after this crisis has passed.” 

Click here to visit our Virtual Career Services page.

To help your local Goodwill continue providing valuable employment training and job placement services for people in this community, make an online donation today.