Search for: Donate $ Store Locator Job Openings Programs & Training Contract Services Employee Resources About Shop Donate Previous Investing in our Employees – Goodwill’s Success Through Apprenticeship By Amara Lett What is our Retail Apprenticeship Program? When most people think “apprenticeship,” they certainly are not thinking Goodwill! They are usually thinking about hunting for a great bargain at one of our store locations or about some of the great programs that we offer to youth, the formerly incarcerated, or those who have just fallen on bad luck. At Goodwill, we really do offer so much more to both our clients and our employees. This is why two years ago we started our Retail Apprenticeship program. Through this program, apprentices earn several nationally recognized certificates through the National Retail Federation, gain a ton of micro-credentials through the Goodwill Career Pathways Institute, but even more than that…our apprentices gain confidence. Let me tell you a story. Meet Eric Dixon I remember a student from our first apprenticeship class. Eric Dixon was a shy shift leader who was sitting casually in the room. He didn’t interact much at all. In fact, I was not all too sure what his experience was going to be like. Dixon just told me that one day, he was going to have his own store. We worked with this shift leader for over six months. After that time, he was indeed promoted. Dixon earned his first promotion in half the time he was expected to. Then six months after that, he was managing his own store. His ability to promote was impressive, but not the most incredible part of this journey for Dixon. It was his total transformation both professionally and personally. He became confident and gained the skills he needed to be successful. There are more stories of success when it comes to apprenticeship at Goodwill. Our employees promote because we invest in their development. Our apprentices develop both the hard skills to do the tasks of their job, but the soft skills needed to do it with pizazz. We have developed an apprenticeship track that really does wrap around the employee to provide their needs to help overcome obstacles if they have them so that they have the best chance at success! The Future of Apprenticeship at Goodwill We have been so successful in our apprenticeships that we have now moved to start building additional tracks for apprenticeship through Goodwill. This includes apprenticeship in trades like bricklaying, plumbing, and more. The great thing about apprenticeship is that you are paid to earn, so it isn’t like an unpaid internship. Plus, as a construction industries apprentice, starting wages with benefits are often over $30 an hour! Goodwill is a proud provider of apprenticeship, micro-credentialing programs, and employment services that help people who have obstacles remove barriers to help get them to work. If you know someone who needs support, think of Goodwill! We proudly offer youth programs with apprenticeship tracks, re-entry programs with apprenticeship opportunities, and now host veteran’s programs with apprenticeship options. If you are interested, learn more here! November 1, 2021|Employment, Job Training Share This Story, Choose Your Platform! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Related Posts FAQ'S CONTACT US COMMUNITY REPORTS SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! I Give Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma permission to email me Copyright 2012 - 2021 | Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma | All Rights Reserved | Goodwill is a 501(c)3 | Powered by Boiling Point Media Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube