Site launches with full scholarships for the Google IT Support Professional Certificate Program!
Goodwill-Suncoast is offering virtual job services to help as many job seekers as possible at this time of record unemployment. The services are available at a new website, www.myjobconnection.org and complement Goodwill’s in-store, in-person Job Connection Center assistance. The virtual components were created to help as many job seekers as possible due to the unemployment crisis and social distancing resulting from the Covid-19 virus.
After creating a simple account, job seekers will find up-to-date information on community services to help them navigate issues related to unemployment, as well as tools and resources to augment job searches and employment skills. The site contains access to job boards, resume templates and available online certification courses to help increase employability. The website has a live chat portal that allows Goodwill employment specialists to assist with resume development and other needs. Live chat is available Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.; Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Google Scholarships Available
For a limited time, Goodwill-Suncoast is offering full scholarships to IT training developed by Google for applicants age 18 and older. Those completing the five-course curriculum will earn the Google IT Support Professional Certificate, a credential that can help job seekers land one of 150,000 unfilled IT support jobs across the country. As an added bonus, there is also the option to add a stackable credential in programming and IT automation. To apply, anyone interested can login to the My Job Connection website and visit the “Online Training – Certifications” tab. More information about the scholarship is available by calling 727-282-4478 or emailing jobconnection@goodwill-suncoast.com.
For individuals seeking in-person services or access to computers, Job Connection centers are located inside Goodwill stores at 2550 34th Street in St. Petersburg and at 10739 Big Bend Rd. in Riverview. The job centers are open 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Services are also available by calling 727-282-4478 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday.
Social distancing measures are in place at the Job Connection centers to ensure everyone’s safety. Computer stations are 6 feet apart and they are sanitized after each use. The number of job seekers inside the centers at any one time is also limited.
Goodwill Industries-Suncoast is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to help people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. The organization’s successful donated goods retail operation helps support its human services in 10 counties in West Central Florida including Job Connection centers, employment services for people with disabilities, a children’s literacy program, affordable apartment communities for seniors and people with disabilities, and community corrections programs. For more information, visit goodwill-suncoast.org.