Employment Program

Goodwill believes that the best way to learn how to work is through paid work. Thus, Goodwill utilizes an Employment Program designed to hire, train, and promote up local individuals with barriers to employment. This program is part of Goodwill’s ongoing commitment to maximize public benefit while minimizing public cost. Goodwill funds its Employment Program primarily through the resale of the community’s unwanted or unused clothing and household items. Nearly 70% of Goodwill’s workforce has an employment barrier, including people with disabilities, low educational achievement, limited or no English, transitioning out of the correctional system, transitioning off of welfare, and more. Through the employment program, Goodwill helps these individuals develop good work habits and gain experience, including material handling (pallet jacks and forklifts), backroom production, merchandising, cashiering, and customer service in a retail environment.