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Get Certified. Get Hired.

Whether you’re new to the workforce or simply need to update or enhance your skills, Goodwill Training Academy classes can help you move forward and reach your career goals.

Through partnerships with technical colleges throughout the community and nationally-accredited agencies, Goodwill is dedicated to supporting and empowering the community through providing education, training and employment opportunities.

The programs and scholarships Goodwill offers show how generous donations and round-up dollars are used to fuel our mission of changing lives through the power of work.

All courses are either at no cost to the participant or scholarship-eligible and are held at the four Goodwill Training Academy locations in Columbus, Newnan, Albany and Valdosta. Industry-accredited certifications include:

  • NRF (National Retail Federation) Customer Service and Retail Skills Certification

  • Serv-Safe Food Service/Food Safety

  • OSHA 10 (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) and Forklift Training

  • AHLEI (American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute) Guest Services and Certified Maintenance Employee

Additional training and certifications are available through partnerships with local technical colleges and certified instructors:

  • Manufacturing Ready Certification

  • Custodial & Floorcare (Goodwill and Spartan Chemical)

  • CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant)

Courses

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Retail

Prepares individuals for potential careers as retail associates and customer service representatives.

Available at all training locations.

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Hospitality & Guest Services

Learn many aspects of guest service, all designed for maintaining the highest level of service in varying situations.

Available at all training locations.

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Maintenance

Provides a thorough understanding of a maintenance worker’s primary duties and job functions.

Available at all training locations.

CNA

30-day program consisting of hands-on training that equips individuals with essential patient care skills.

Available at all training locations.

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Custodial

Trains individuals for careers in a high-demand field with opportunities for strong entry-level earnings.

Available in Albany, Columbus, & Thomas Crossroads.

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CPR & First Aid

Teaches individuals how to recognize and provide immediate action when a person suffers sudden cardiac arrest.

Available at all training locations.

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Food Service

ServSafe food service program that develops and trains individuals for a career in the food service industry.

Available at all training locations.

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Manufacturing & OSHA 10

Provides individuals with training in manufacturing, production, OSHA 10, forklift operation and other valuable skills.

Available at all training locations.

Course Requirements

  • This program provides Clerical and Receptionist training to funded participants. The training program is designed to help develop the basic office skills needed for the participant to enter the clerical and administrative field. The training highlights the skills and behaviors required to operate a friendly, efficient, and effective office environment.

    All Participants must meet the following requirements for program enrollment.

    GoodwillSR Clerical and Receptionist Program Requirements:

    • Have an ID card and SS card

    • Able to pass a drug screen

    • Pass the GoodwillSR computer assessment

    • Ability to read and write at least at fourth-grade level

  • This program provides training towards CDA credentialing to funded participants as well as assist child development centers, center-based pre-schools, and day care center employers to fill their positions with staff members that meet state requirements. The program will be a bridge to additional certifications and degrees in early childhood.

    All Participants must meet the following requirements for program enrollment.

    GoodwillSR CDA Program Requirements:

    • Must be 18 years of age or older

    • Have an ID card and SS card

    • Able to pass a drug screen

    • Able to pass a background check for employment

    • Pass the GoodwillSR computer assessment

    • Have High School Diploma or GED

  • This program provides training towards CNA credentialing to funded participants. A Registered Nurse Instructor provides facilitation to develop participants with the necessary skills to pass the certification exam. Once the CNA preparation courses and clinics are complete, the participant is prepared to pass the written exam and skills evaluation. Passing the exam provides the participant with an industry recognized credential and license in the State of Georgia as a Certified Nurse Aide.

    All Participants must meet the following requirements for program enrollment.

    GoodwillSR CNA Program Requirements:

    • Must be 18 years of age or older

    • Have an ID card and SS card

    • Able to pass a drug screen

    • Able to pass a background check for employment

    • Pass the GoodwillSR computer assessment

    • Have High School Diploma or GED

    • Must be able to read and do math at a minimum of an eighth-grade level

  • The maintenance employee certification is supported by the START (Skills, Tasks, and Results Training), along with concise training for new or prospective employees on how to perform 13 key tasks correctly. These include discussing the importance of OSHA regulations and personal protective equipment.

    All Participants must meet the following requirements for program enrollment.

    GoodwillSR CME Program Requirements:

    • Must be 18 years of age or older

    • Have an ID card and SS card

    • Able to pass a drug screen

    • Have ability to read and write at a fourth-grade level

  • The Manufacturing & Forklift and Safety training program is designed to introduce industry standards for safety. This course is facilitated through a partnership between Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers, Inc. (GoodwillSR) and local technical colleges. Both GoodwillSR and the technical colleges provide classroom instruction to include Forklift Driver Training and Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) safety standards.

    All Participants must meet the following requirements for program enrollment.

    GoodwillSR Manufacturing and Forklift Safety Program Requirements:

    • Must be 18 years of age or older

    • Have an ID card and SS card

    • Must possess a valid driver’s license

    • Able to pass a drug screen

    • Have a minimum of an eighth-grade reading and arithmetic level

  • This program provides training towards credentialing as a Phlebotomy Technician to funded participants. The program delivers a minimum of 40 training hours including clinical laboratory time to prepare the participant with essential patient care skills.

    All Participants must meet the following requirements for program enrollment.

    GoodwillSR PTC Program Requirements:

    • Must be 18 years of age or older

    • Have an ID card and SS card

    • Able to pass a drug screen

    • Able to pass a background check (no felonies)

    • Pass the GoodwillSR computer assessment

    • Have High School Diploma or GED

    • Negative Hepatitis test

    • Negative Tuberculosis (TB) test

    • Immunization records (needed if working at a hospital)

  • This program provides training towards Guest Service Gold credentialing to funded participants. Training focuses on the seven key elements to professionally deliver high levels of customer service. These elements are key perspectives to establishing effective customer service actions and ensuring that the customer’s needs are met. This program will also describe how these principles can be applied to a variety of industries.

    All Participants must meet the following requirements for program enrollment.

    GoodwillSR CGSP Program Requirements:

    • Have an ID card and SS card

    • Able to pass a drug screen

    • Pass the GoodwillSR computer assessment

    • Must be able to read and write at least at a fourth-grade level

  • This training provides participants with an opportunity to discover that the retail industry is more than just sales, it includes design, marketing, finance, and more. The retail industry is a catalyst for creativity and ranks top among competitors for highly skilled tech workers. Upon completion of this training, participants will have built a foundation of skills and experiences that will serve any industry.

    All Participants must meet the following requirements for program enrollment.

    GoodwillSR NRF – Retail Industries Fundamental Training Program Requirements:

    • Must possess a GED or High School Diploma

    • Have an ID card and SS card

    • Able to pass a drug screen

    • Pass the GoodwillSR computer assessment

    • Must be able to read and write at least at an eighth-grade level

  • The National Restaurant Association, through its ServSafe® certification program, is designed to educate foodservice managers, food-handlers and anyone working in the foodservice industry, on best practices for food safety.

    All Participants must meet the following requirements for program enrollment.

    GoodwillSR ServSafe Food Handler Program Requirements:

    • Must possess a GED or High School Diploma

    • Have an ID card and SS card

    • Able to pass a drug screen

    • Pass the GoodwillSR computer assessment

    • Must be able to read and write at least at an eighth-grade level