Skills Training Program
Goodwill of Central Iowa— Developing Confidence & Strengthening Abilities for Every Individual
Working Together To Ensure Success With Skills Training
New to the workplace, brushing up on skills, or interested in learning something new? No matter the case, Goodwill of Central Iowa Skills Training Programs are designed to teach industry-related skills, but most importantly, they build confidence to navigate the workplace, shape professionalism, and allow individuals to realize their potential.
- Mix of classroom and paid, hands-on training with curriculum structured to put classroom learnings into practice alongside Goodwill employees.
- Focus on skills for success in any workplace including soft skills like teamwork, communication and goal setting.
- Weekly progress reviews, focusing on accomplishments and areas of improvement, paired with close communication with care teams.
- Small class sizes to allow for in-the-moment coaching and focus on individual goals.
- Opportunities to earn an industry-recognized credential.
- Build your community and develop support that will partner with you throughout your journey to employment.
Skills Training Offerings
Retail Skills Training
This six-week program focuses on the basics of work in the retail industry including customer service, merchandise handling, pricing, etc.
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.
These concepts are put into practice in the Goodwill retail stores, alongside Skills Trainer, Monica, and the store team. Trainees have an opportunity to test to receive the RISE Up credential at the completion of the course.
Warehouse & Safety Training
This six-week program introduces trainees to the equipment, operations and important safety considerations associated with work in a warehouse or material-handling position. Trainees are coached with equipment like pallet-jacks, walk-behinds, and forklifts and cover topics related to inventory and OSHA standards.
Job Ready Pathways Skills Training
Development of soft skills is the primary focus of our Job Ready Pathways Skills Training Program. This includes learning things such as professional communication, time management, teamwork, self-advocacy and critical thinking.
Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive The Conover Credential highlighting the skills they have developed, along with a Certificate of Completion from Goodwill of Central Iowa.
Meet Our Skills Trainers
Monica McClelland Cheers
Retail Skills Trainer
John Hasstedt
Warehouse & Safety Skills Trainer
Doug Snyder
Job Ready Pathways Skills Trainer
Geeta Rahmani
Skills Trainer
Our Training Location
Goodwill of Central Iowa HQ
Qualifications for Skills Training Participants
- Individuals ages 18-65+
- Documented intellectual and physical disability and/or mental illness with an Individual Service Plan (ISP).
- Desire to develop skills for competitive employment.
- Must reside within our 22 county service area and able to secure reliable transportation to our Johnston, Iowa Headquarters training location.
- Eligible for authorization by HCBS, private pay, or other funding source.
- Able to self-administer all medications.
- Independent in self-care needs.
- Not harmful to self or others.
Our Impact
Number of participants graduating from Goodwill Skills Training programs in 2022.
Number of Des Moines area businesses currently employing Goodwill Skills Training graduates.
Percentage of Goodwill Skills Training graduates that have attained sustainable employment.
