The Goodwill Career Center has reopened after an extended closure forced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brittany Fuhrmann, Goodwill's career service manager in south Arkansas, said the nonprofit is glad to be offering its free career services once again to workers and employers alike.
Since 2009, Goodwill Industries of Arkansas has offered help to workers seeking to become job-ready, as well as to employers looking to staff their businesses. Both groups can receive help from Goodwill for free.
Fuhrmann said that workers can access aid including interview preparation, job readiness training, career assessment, resume assistance, career guidance and job search assistance.
Help for workers is available both in-person, at Goodwill at 1430 N. West Ave. (in the shopping center with Victory Church), or online through the nonprofit's "virtual career portal" at goodwill.org/jobs-training.
"Goodwill has provided career guidance to more than 18,000 individuals and placed more than 5,200 in employment over the last two years statewide," Fuhrman said.
A computer lab is available at Goodwill for El Dorado job seekers as well; Fuhrmann noted that the computers can help workers improve their "digital literacy."
Business owners or other employers can also find help through Goodwill's employee placement services. Furhmann said the organization is currently working with Hugg & Hall in El Dorado on employee placement, and is open to more partnerships.
"Since reopening, we are building our employer partnerships in El Dorado," she said.
Employer services offered by Goodwill include the ability to list open job positions on the nonprofit's online Employer Portal; the development and implementation of customized training for prospective and incumbent workers; qualified worker referals; and new employee training coordination.
"Our team can also facilitate and conduct hiring events," Fuhrmann said.
The Goodwill Career Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information about employer services, contact Fuhrmann at [email protected] or 501-372-5100, ext. 1216.
To learn more about services for workers or to set an appointment to use the computer lab at Goodwill, call 870-444-6820.