Menasha, WI — Throughout September, Goodwill North Central Wisconsin (NCW) is celebrating National Workforce Development Month, which recognizes the hard work and significant impact made by workforce professionals in advancing national and local economies.

“From job skills training to job placement and support services, Goodwill NCW provides a range of employment services to help individuals enter pathways, sustain employment and improve their financial stability,” said Kayla Countney, Mission Relations Manager at Goodwill NCW. “Since 1971 when Goodwill NCW was founded, the sale of donated items has helped fuel our mission of Elevating People by Eliminating Barriers to Employment.”

One of Goodwill NCW’s programs that prepares participants for entering the workforce is called School-to-Work. With the school year just starting, Goodwill NCW stores are getting ready to welcome high school students from more than 40 schools across north central Wisconsin to build job skills.

In high school, youth are asked to prepare for their next steps in life and begin to gain financial independence by entering the workforce. For high school students with barriers, it can be extra challenging to navigate these next steps; that’s where Goodwill NCW’s School-to-Work program bridges the gap between the classroom and working in the community.

Asah, a team member at the Oshkosh Goodwill store, first learned job skills in Goodwill NCW’s School-to-Work program. After he graduated, he was hired as a part-time Customer Experience Specialist working on the sales floor at the Oshkosh Goodwill store.
However, Asah wanted to continue to grow. Through Goodwill NCW’s Project SEARCH site at Ascension Mercy Hospital in Oshkosh, he pursued additional hands-on job training.

After completing the nine-month internship program, he returned to the Oshkosh Goodwill store and had a goal of becoming a cashier. Through Goodwill NCW’s Project SEARCH site at Ascension Mercy Hospital in Oshkosh, he pursued additional hands-on job training that helped prepare him for the next step of his journey.

At a time when many employers are looking for qualified workers, Goodwill NCW is committed to doing its part in responding to the gap in the workforce and supporting those who are underserved, underrepresented and disadvantaged. 85% of job seekers who secured employment through Goodwill NCW services in 2023 were from disadvantaged populations, such as people with refugee status, people without housing, people who are justice-involved and people with a disability.

Learn more about Goodwill NCW programs.