Goodwill of Central Iowa offers Skills Training Programs that go beyond just teaching industry-related skills. These programs help individuals gain confidence, enhance their abilities, and navigate the workplace professionally. This CARF-accredited program prioritizes the quality, value, and outcomes of services provided to improve the lives of those served. It is a stepping stone towards personal growth and reaching one’s maximum potential.
Retail Skills Training
The Retail Skills Training Program is a six-week paid program that focuses on the basics of retail work, including customer service, merchandise handling, pricing, and much more. This program follows the RISE Up curriculum, established by big-box stores like Macy’s and Home Depot, to familiarize trainees with what it takes to be successful in the retail workplace. Upon course completion, trainees can test to receive the RISE Up credential.
Monica McClelland Cheers, the dedicated instructor of the Retail Skills Training Program, was a former public school teacher and has a deep-rooted passion for teaching participants lifelong skills to succeed. Her nurturing approach and commitment to each trainee’s success make her an invaluable part of the program.
“Folks come to this program and maybe have never been in a training program, maybe have never held a job, or have been out of school for years. The first thing we try to build is trust and confidence that you’re here because you should be here, and I want you here. And by the time this program is through, the confidence and secure feeling of knowing they’ve done this gives them the strength that they can go out in the world and really do this,” said Monica.
Building a Skills Foundation
A foundation that combines soft and hard skills enables the participants to seek out and acquire the types of jobs they deserve. The dynamic program structure provides opportunities to build skills sets. This is done with hands-on supervision from our retail skills trainer.
Soft skills are taught in a classroom setting with real-life scenarios to apply the skills when the class works in the Goodwill retail stores. Soft skills include showing up on time every day and appropriately talking to coworkers. The course also goes over how to communicate effectively with their manager, such as asking for time off, expressing concerns, and setting a work schedule.
Hard skills are built by doing retail tasks, such as learning how to place new donations on the store floor, sorting donations, pricing items, and determining the value of donations that come through the door. In the last week of the program, participants learn about the point-of-sales system, where they use a cash register and count back change.
Many trainees move into a variety of positions after graduating from the Retail Skills Training Program because the skills are transferable. Places include dog grooming services and working in an office setting; some have gone to Target, and others have continued employment at our Goodwill stores.
“We recently had someone go through our Day Services Program, transferred to our program [retail skills], and is now employed in Goodwill’s E-commerce department. And that’s just stunning, and I’m so proud!” said Monica. “The first step is always the hardest. Just give it a try. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain, and I promise we’re going to meet you where you’re at.”
Warehouse and Safety Skills Training
Like Retail Skills, the Warehouse and Safety Skills Training Program is a paid, six-week program that introduces trainees to the equipment, operations, and important safety considerations associated with working in warehouse or material-handling positions. Trainees are coached with equipment like pallet jacks, walk-behinds, and forklifts and cover inventory and OSHA standards topics.
With the mission of “making purposeful employment possible for all,” Goodwill Skills Trainer John Hasstedt is strengthening the abilities of those he serves. John started with Goodwill as a store clerk and progressed through Goodwill to become an operations supervisor in the warehouse. He has been the Warehouse and Safety Skills Trainer for six years.
“Participants come to us with various needs and barriers. We have developed over the years the need and understanding to meet participants where they’re at,” said John. John will adjust the program to fit the participants’ needs and abilities. “We assure them that they’re not doing this by themselves. Support is what Goodwill is about,” said John.
Providing What It Takes to Succeed
A recent Harvard study found that 85% of job success comes from having well-developed soft skills. A lot of the classroom work focuses on interactions and communication with coworkers and how to interact appropriately in a social setting. John teaches his program with a person-centric focus. Small class sizes allow in-the-moment coaching and focus on the individuals to ensure their success. With weekly progress reviews, the trainees can focus on their accomplishments and areas of improvement.
“Safety is first and foremost. If an individual is uncomfortable with pieces of equipment, I don’t force them to do that,” said John.
After class, participants learn skills in various areas, such as e-waste recycling and e-commerce, by dismantling electronic waste and working in an e-commerce setting. Participants learn how to use a bailer and navigate a busy warehouse environment.
“The bailer is an area with a lot of forklift travel. Now, part of the program is safety. I always tell my trainees it’s not just the forklift’s driver to be alert; we have to be alert as well because forklift drivers have a lot going on,” said John.
By working with a network of dedicated individuals within the Goodwill organization, participants gain resources, connections, and the skills to graduate from the program and progress toward greater independence through purposeful employment. Program graduates have joined the workforce at places like Atlantic Bottlers or have entered production work settings.
Furthering Goodwill’s Mission
Shelly Hansen is Goodwill of Central Iowa’s Mission Services Manager. She oversees the Life Instructors in Day Services and the Skills Trainers while also assisting with scheduling and programming for both. Her years of experience with skills programs ensure their robustness, and she attributes program success to her Skills Trainers’ contributions.
“John comes with a wealth of knowledge regarding warehouse skills and what it takes to be successful in employment within a warehouse. He’s a fantastic instructor and meets people where they’re at,” said Shelly.
Shelly went on to explain that compassion is one of the most important traits for skills trainers like John and Monica.
“Monica has a lot of experience working with people with intellectual and physical [barrier] disabilities. She’s extremely compassionate and has the unique ability to be able to increase somebody’s confidence and I believe that’s what drew her to being a skills trainer,” said Shelly.
Goodwill’s Skills Training Programs not only foster hard skills for participants, but also serve to build soft skills like confidence and self-esteem. With the help of our Skills Trainers, Goodwill’s programs continue making purposeful employment possible for all. To learn more about the Skills Training Programs, please visit our Mission page on our website, or watch a video explaining the program here.
