By Press Release

Grant Supports Use of Technology to Promote Job Opportunities

(Portland, Maine) Goodwill Industries of Northern New England will promote virtual career exploration and opportunities in the health care field through a new federal grant.



The U.S. Department of Labor announced the release of $14.7 million in health care career grants supported by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Goodwill Industries International is one of four grantees, which include the American Association of Community Colleges, the International Association of Jewish Vocational Services and SER-Jobs for Progress National, Inc.



Goodwill Industries of Northern New England is one of seven Goodwill independent agencies that has received funding. The agency was granted $267,932 to use over the next two years.



Goodwill’s Good Prospects program will help Goodwill of Northern New England acquire adequate computer technology equipment for career exploration and development, provide software tools for pre-training and training activities, and provide computer literacy and training for career development instruction and facilitators. The grant enables Goodwill to expand offerings at current Workforce Solutions sites and to partner with other organizations.  Expanded services will be offered in York, Cumberland, Androscoggin, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox, Waldo, and Kennebec counties.



“Job growth in the health care industry remains strong and our Goodwill is ready to provide the technology training to help people find jobs in this in demand field,” said Michael Coughlin, CEO of Goodwill Industries of Northern New England.  “Good Prospects will allow Goodwill to customize services to help people in our Maine communities find jobs, earn paychecks and care for their families."



Good Prospects’ services will be integrated into Goodwill’s existing career training programs and include:



- Outreach and recruitment through Goodwill’s workforce development programs and partnerships;



- Job resource options, particularly in healthcare, through technology and the Internet;



- Virtual career assessment tools to help in the career decision making process.



“Since 1933, Goodwill has helped people with disabilities, those who lack education or work experience and others facing challenges to finding employment,” explained Coughlin. “Goodwill served nearly 58,000 people last year and is uniquely qualified to provide the virtual career exploration solutions to help people find employment and build their careers.”