NASHVILLE, Tenn. â Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee helped 15,412 people find jobs in 2015, a 61-percent increase over its efforts the prior year.
The not-for-profit provides free training, education and employment opportunities across 48 middle and west Tennessee counties. Overall, the agency assisted 36,081 people in 2015 â a 28-percent rise compared to 2014.
Goodwill Career Solutions centers in Brentwood, Franklin and Spring Hill assisted 2,901 people in 2015, helping 1,243 of those land jobs.
Goodwillâs territory-wide goals for last year were to assist 30,000 people and place 11,000 in jobs. Those benchmarks were met in November. The organizationâs new goal focuses on 2020, by which it hopes to be placing 20,000 people into jobs annually.
A recent study by the Jones College of Business at Middle Tennessee State University forecast that by 2024 Goodwill will place more than 21,500 people into jobs each year.
Goodwill sells donated clothing and household goods in its stores to fund its mission. The agency employs more than 2,100 people, but 92 percent of Goodwillâs clients who find jobs are placed with other employers. More than 3,000 employers actively hire through Goodwill.
âWe are extremely proud of the results our 29 Goodwill Career Solutions centers have achieved for the people and communities we serve,â said Betty Johnson, vice president and chief people officer of the local Goodwill. âItâs exciting to be changing so many lives through the power of work. Our generous donors and shoppers make it possible.â
This week’s job fairs in Rutherford County.
About Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc.
For nearly 60 years, Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee has provided job training and job placement free of charge to people with disabilities or other barriers to employment through the sale of donated items. More information about Goodwillâs Career Solutions, retail stores and donation centers can be obtained online at www.giveit2goodwill.org or by calling 1-800-545-9231.
