Goodwill of North Georgia (Goodwill) plays a vital role in the community by fostering economic development and providing job training. Goodwill’s mission is simple: to put people to work. Over the last five years, Goodwill has helped more than 100,000 Georgians create new lives for themselves and their families through funds generated in their stores and from monetary donations, allowing Goodwill to operate 14 career centers that provide free job training and placement programs.
Goodwill partners with more than 3,500 employers and 212 staffing agencies in Georgia to connect job seekers with employment. These collaborations include advisory councils, hiring events and customized training programs that assess employer needs and tailor training to meet industry standards and certifications, ensuring that program graduates are job-ready, aligned with current market demands and have direct pathways into employment.
Clean Tech Training on the Westside
In 2024, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation granted $1.5 million to Goodwill to train residents of Atlanta’s Westside through its Clean Tech Infrastructure Accelerator (CTIA) program. With a focus on clean tech industries, such as solar energy technology and electric vehicle charging, program participants benefit from industry-specific certifications, career coaching and the opportunity to earn additional credentials for career advancement. The CTIA program is designed to be inclusive and barrier-free, with no degree required. It offers paid training through stipends, hands-on learning and wraparound services, including transportation support and childcare assistance. These features make the program accessible to youth, veterans, single parents and justice system-involved persons.
The CTIA program complements other Goodwill programs in healthcare, logistics and construction, reinforcing Goodwill’s commitment to economic mobility and sustainable employment in the Westside and across North Georgia.
“Goodwill launched its Clean Tech Infrastructure Accelerator to address the growing demand for skilled workers in the clean energy sector. The initiative aligns with Goodwill’s mission to provide high-quality employment opportunities and was designed to fill a critical talent gap in industries like solar, EV charging and heat pump installation,” said Joe Badgett, career services program manager at Goodwill of North Georgia. “The Westside was selected as a targeted neighborhood due to its historic economic challenges and the opportunity to uplift residents through workforce development. The $1.5 million grant from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation is supporting Goodwill’s clean tech training for 250 Westside residents.”
Mobile Career Resources
The foundation grant also supports Goodwill’s Mobile Career Center. Launched in March 2025, the initiative focuses on serving communities across 45 Georgia counties and is designed to connect people with employment opportunities, providing digital access, and offering free job training resources – extending Goodwill’s workforce development mission directly into local communities, such as Atlanta’s Westside.
Job seekers visiting the Mobile Career Center can expect one-on-one assistance with online job applications and résumés, connections to local employers and hiring events, and access to digital skills workshops and job-readiness programs – all free of charge. The mobile unit is outfitted with computer workstations and internet access and is staffed by Goodwill career coaches, effectively bringing the resources of a brick-and-mortar career center directly to underserved areas. The Mobile Career Center will also host on-site hiring events and training sessions, creating a convenient one-stop shop for employment services.
Goodwill’s impact extends beyond employment and economic growth. Supporting career development plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for Westside residents. The important work being done by Goodwill closely aligns with the foundation’s Westside strategy and workforce development pathway as it provides critical workforce development support and empowers residents with the education, training and job placement opportunities needed for economic mobility.
Goodwill Mobile Career Center photographed in Atlanta, Georgia.
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