Chief Mission Officer Catharine Fleming said, “We are so excited to be collaborating with Goodwill Industries International and Google.org to provide sector-specific, critical skills classes to the region.”
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (PRWEB) April 02, 2018
Horizon Goodwill Industries has been awarded a $50,000 grant from Goodwill Industries International, Inc. (GII) to participate in Round 2 of the Goodwill Digital Career Accelerator (SM) funded by Google.org. The purpose of the grant is for local Goodwills to establish, enrich and/or expand digital skills awareness and training for 2,400 individuals across the 4-state area. Horizon Goodwill already provides basic skills and can now offer a bridge to sector specific training which will lead to industry-recognized credentials. Horizon Goodwill partners with community colleges, businesses, and human service providers serving 7,682 people in 17 counties last year; this grant award from GII and Google.org will support extending services to 31% more people struggling to enter the workforce due to lack of preparedness and relevant, critical tech and computer skills.
In addition to our free 10-day, 50 hour Get Onboard! and Get Skilled! classes, Horizon Goodwill workforce development staff will design and implement awareness campaigns and provide free digital skills training to assist individuals, including employees and members of the public, gain a wide range of quality digital skills that are essential for engagement in the U.S. labor market.
Chief Mission Officer Catharine Fleming said, “Digital literacy and technical skills are fundamental to getting and keeping a job today – they are not optional. Without access to training, individuals that are unemployed or underrepresented in the workforce will continue to be moved to the fringes, underprepared and discouraged; they will remain out of work and unable to support themselves or their families. We are so excited to be collaborating with Goodwill Industries International and Google.org to provide sector-specific, critical skills classes to the region.”
Why Digital Skills Training?
Digital literacy training will focus is the knowledge, skills, and behaviors used to interact with a broad range of digital devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers, all of which are seen as network rather than computing devices. Digital skills include the ability to engage in online communities and social networks to find, capture, and evaluate information using technology or digital devices. These skills can be obtained through digital experiences that encourage individuals to think in a variety of ways through a multitude of media platforms. Over the next 3 years, Horizon Goodwill’s strategic vision is to build and incorporate digital skills awareness and training that includes but is not limited to basic computer skills, productivity skills such as proficiency with Microsoft Suite products, coding, programming, marketing, visual and graphic design, e-commerce, mechatronics, electronic arts, film production, concept art, illustration, 3D modeling, animation, front-end and back-end development, app development, or project and account management. Horizon Goodwill will offer 4 levels of digital literacy and career development, with Level 1: Get Digital! and Level 2: Get Technical! launching July 1, 2018. With Level 3: Get Geeked! and Level 4: Get Analytic! to follow.
About Horizon Goodwill
Goodwill has been rated #1 above the global brands Amazon and Google for the Brand World Value Rankings for 2016 and 2017. Horizon Goodwill Industries, whose mission is “Removing Barriers, Creating Opportunities,” is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all people have access to employment despite significant obstacles. Horizon Goodwill serves over 5,000 clients annually in a 17-county region that includes parts of the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. For more information, please visit http://www.horizongoodwill.org@HorizonGoodwill #GiveALift #GetALift #removingbarriers #creatingopportunities
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