PTC Partners with Goodwill to Provide Job Training

As the new Goodwill Store and Job Connections opens its doors in Greenwood, Piedmont Technical College has already completed training for six people who are searching for employment.

Goodwill has partnered with technical colleges around the state to provide training based on the needs of an area. With the opening of the new facility in Greenwood, Goodwill partnered with Piedmont Tech for a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) class.

“This is a great opportunity for Piedmont Technical College and Goodwill to be able to partner to help individuals gain basic skills so they are prepared to go into the workforce,” said Rusty Denning, associate vice president for Continuing Education. “With the success of this first class of CNAs, we will continue to do other programs in the future.”

The first class began in October and ran for four weeks. Six students completed the training, three of which have already found employment and a fourth has chosen to continue her education at Piedmont Tech in the nursing program. The graduates were recently recognized at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new facility.

“A lot of people know Goodwill because they shop here or drop things off. But, those are our means, not our ends,” said Patrick Michaels, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands SC. “Our ends really are the people sitting here. Our ends are when people get the skills they need to go to work.”

Funding for the class was provided through a $49,992 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation.

“It is truly a pleasure to have the opportunity to represent Duke Energy with people like Goodwill Industries and Piedmont Technical College. The Job Connections center is not a gift, it is an investment,” said Theo Lane, district manager for Duke Energy. “It pays forward because it keeps on giving. These graduates will go out, change lives and create a better community.”

The next round of CNA training classes will begin in February. To be eligible for these classes, individuals must meet specific Goodwill Industries requirements and attend a free information session. Piedmont Tech will hold an information session Tuesday, December 18 at 5:30 p.m. in room 222C. Information is also available anytime at the Goodwill Industries Job Connections on Montague Avenue Extension.

Photo Caption: Piedmont Technical College and Goodwill Industries have partnered to provide job training through the Job Connections. The first graduates of the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program were recently recognized at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new facility. Participants were, from left, Julie Rankin, instructor; Quentasha Blakely of Laurens; Felicia Blakely of Laurens; Melissa Cheek, CDS case manager with Goodwill Industries; Kristi Long of Greenwood; Tina Thompson of Greenwood; Rebecca Hinely of Prosperity; and Christi Tatum of Calhoun Falls.