Spreading Goodwill & Providing Job Skills

West Ashley High School has partnered with Palmetto Goodwill Industries of Lower South Carolina to create a three-phase program aimed to provide at-risk students with the skills needed to make them successful in the workplace. The program is available for students who are behind at least two grade levels. Its purpose is to provide students with hands-on training and in order to help them become productive citizens once they finish high school.
In order to participate in the program, students are required to go through an application process much as they would when applying for a job. The work-based learning opportunity, led by Goodwill Employment Specialists, includes three phases. Students must successfully complete each phase before moving to the next one.
•
Phase One involves 12 sessions of work readiness and soft skills training at WAHS Campus. Students continue to be enrolled in academic classes, but attend career training sessions during a portion of second period.
•
Phase Two, which began Monday, Feb. 2, is a three-week computer-based training course taken at WAHS. Students earn their National Retail Certificate at the end of this phase.
•
Phase Three will consist of an internship at the West Ashley Goodwill store, located at 3516 Shelby Ray Court.
Upon completion of the program, students will receive a work-based credit and the opportunity to acquire a job. Students who complete the program will be offered opportunities to participate in Goodwill-sponsored hiring events with local retailers.
Palmetto Goodwill Industries of Lower South Carolina is a not-for-profit social service organization whose mission is to help people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. More than 90 percent of Goodwill’s revenue goes to fund its mission by providing career counseling, job training, and other employment-related programs to people with barriers to employment. Last year, Goodwill placed more than 1,500 people into new jobs and provided services for more than 60,000. For more information about Goodwill’s programs and services, please visit palmettogoodwill.org.
For more information regarding the Goodwill Program, please contact Donnie Newton at (843) 573-1201 ext. 4405.