Goodwill Receives Grant from Google
Google.org and Goodwill, the United States’ leading workforce development nonprofit, have announced the launch of the Goodwill Digital Career Accelerator. Funded by a $10 million grant from Google.org and with the assistance of 1,000 Google volunteers, the new Goodwill initiative will enable more than one million people — including people with disabilities and disadvantages, youth, older workers, veterans and military families, and people who are transitioning back into society — to receive digital skills training over the next three years.
To launch the initiative, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Google.org President Jacquelline Fuller visited with Goodwill Industries International President and CEO Jim Gibbons and Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania President and CEO Mike Smith at the Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania headquarters in Pittsburgh to participate in a Digital Skills Career Day, a half day of sessions designed to raise awareness of digital skills training and career opportunities among Goodwill program participants and build Goodwill team members’ capability to train individuals for careers that require digital skills. Google volunteers were on the ground to help conduct trainings for the Pittsburgh Goodwill’s team members and program participants. The trainings focused on a variety of topics ranging from applied digital skills to Google tools for jobs and demystifying digital careers. The sessions occurred after a launch at the Google Pittsburgh office.
“Together, Goodwill and Google are helping people advance their skills and change their lives,” said Gibbons. “This exciting investment from one of the world’s most innovative technology and digital leaders will help Goodwill organizations across the country equip more than a million people with the digital skills they need to advance their careers. I’m proud of the work Google and local Goodwill organizations will accomplish together.”
“Goodwill is the leading workforce development nonprofit in the United States and Google is proud to support them as they prepare more than one million people across the country to get the critical digital skills they need to be successful today and in the future,” said Jacquelline Fuller, president of Google.org. “We both share a commitment to create opportunities for everyone, and we’re excited to amplify Goodwill’s amazing work through our giving and Google volunteers.”
“This grant will be a tremendous asset to our community and Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois is proud to be an administrator,” said Don Johnson, Goodwill President & CEO. “The skills people can learn are the skills employers are looking for, as technology grows. We look forward to