Goodwill of North Georgia Hosts Milestone Graduation Celebration

Goodwill of North Georgia celebrated the achievements of 370 graduates of its renowned training programs on May 16.

More than 160 graduates from this year’s class have already secured positions with top employers, including Amazon, Georgia Department of Transportation, Kubota, Cottrell, FedEx, RNN Group, Marta, Old Navy and within Goodwill itself.

Goodwill of North Georgia has worked for decades to effectively identify the workforce needs of North Georgia communities and develop programs to train people in a wide range of skilled trades and career opportunities. The organization remains the nation’s premier goodwill organization connecting people to jobs.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, who serves on the board of directors of Goodwill of North Georgia, spoke at the ceremony, supporting the agency’s impactful work in the community. Rodney D. Bullard, CEO of The Same House and advocate for economic mobility and social unity, delivered the keynote address.

Goodwill of North Georgia serves a 45-county area with more than 100 stores and donation centers, as well as 14 career centers dedicated to supporting job seekers. These centers offer a wide range of free training programs, including customer service, environmental services, phlebotomy, welding, youth employment services, highway construction, and more. Designed to meet the needs of all individuals, including veterans, individuals with disabilities, youth, single parents, the underemployed and those with criminal histories, Goodwill’s efforts ensure that everyone at the job search receives the necessary support and opportunities.

In the past year alone, more than 22,113 people have found employment through Goodwill of North Georgia’s efforts, highlighting the agency’s workforce development effectiveness and critical role in the local economy.

This year’s graduation also highlights the extraordinary accomplishments of two “Graduates of the Year,” each representing a different region of North Georgia:

• Northwest Graduate of the Year: Anthony Basciani of Woodstock Career Center, who excelled in the welding program and began his career at ST Metal Works.
• Metro graduate of the year: Krishanda Benton of Metropolitan Parkway Career Center, who successfully transitioned from the phlebotomy program to a role at Messiah For Life.

To learn more about Goodwill of North Georgia’s career services and job training programs, please visit www.goodwillng.org.