Goodwill® and University of Phoenix Join Forces to Address the Nation’s Skills Gap
Washington, DC (PRWEB) November 18, 2013 -- University of Phoenix and Goodwill Industries International today announced a new initiative to train America’s workforce, particularly those in traditionally underserved communities. Through this alliance, University of Phoenix will provide Goodwill employees across the United States and Canada reduced tuition for degree programs as well as certificate programs and professional development courses, along with scholarship opportunities. Goodwill employees participating in University of Phoenix classes will gain the skills necessary to compete in a competitive job market. Additionally, University of Phoenix students will have the opportunity to apply for internships within Goodwill.
“University of Phoenix is deeply committed to working with organizations that fill open jobs in high-demand industries by teaching skills that address employers' needs,” said Gregory W. Cappelli, CEO of Apollo Education Group, the parent company of University of Phoenix. “Both Goodwill and University of Phoenix are national leaders in providing education and job training programs. Together, we will combine our efforts to become an even more important part of the communities we serve.”
According to a recent report issued by The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United States is in danger of losing its status as a leader in workforce skills training and higher education unless significant reforms are undertaken. (*OECD (2013), Time for the U.S. to Reskill?: What the Survey of Adult Skills Says, OECD Skills Studies, OECD Publishing. http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264204904-en).
Goodwill and University of Phoenix have helped millions of Americans acquire skills required by employers, and have developed the programs that teach competencies critical for workers in today’s fiercely competitive labor market. Together, University of Phoenix and Goodwill will help close the nation’s skills gap by training individuals who face challenges to finding employment.
Goodwill’s employment training and job placement services benefitted more than six million people in 2012. Job services and other community-based programs, such as financial education and youth mentoring, are funded and supported through the sale of donated clothes and household items at Goodwill stores and online at shopgoodwill.com®, as well as through community relationships, such as the new alliance between Goodwill and University of Phoenix. Goodwill regularly trains people for careers in high-demand fields, such as IT and healthcare, and provides support such as education and language training.
"The alliance with University of Phoenix will help to assess Goodwill’s programs, including skills training and holistic services that support credential completion, connection to jobs, and career advancement,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International .
Many of America's leading companies rely on University of Phoenix to enhance their learning and development strategies. More than 2,000 organizations, community colleges, school districts, associations and employers work with University of Phoenix to provide programs and services to their employees. These programs are aligned to industry standards, providing graduates with the knowledge they need to innovate and compete in a global economy.
To learn about University of Phoenix initiatives to address the skills gap visit apollogrp.edu/workforce.
About Goodwill Industries International
Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with affiliates in 13 other countries. Goodwill is one of America’s top 25 most inspiring companies (Forbes). Goodwill agencies are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 2,700 stores and online at shopgoodwill.com®. Local Goodwill agencies also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2012, more than 6.7 million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill’s career services. Goodwill channels 82 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services.
To find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at http://www.goodwill.org, or call (800) GOODWILL. Follow us on Twitter: @GoodwillIntl and @GoodwillCapHill, and find us on Facebook: GoodwillIntl.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help working adults move efficiently from education to careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant and engaging courses, and interactive learning can help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. As a subsidiary of Apollo Education Group, Inc., University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs from campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online throughout the world. For more information, visit http://www.phoenix.edu.
Lauren Lawson-Zilai, Goodwill Industries International, http://www.goodwill.org, 240-333-5266, [email protected]
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