Goodwill opens new job training center

8/20/2018

David Conover, director of Northwest State Community College's manufacturing training center at the University of Toledo's Scott Park campus.

The Blade/Jetta Fraser
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Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio plans to help more Toledoans find work through a new job training facility.

The Goodwill Job Connection Center held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday in the DeVeaux Village Shopping Center on Sylvania Avenue in West Toledo. Goodwill Industries CEO Amy Wachob said the purpose of the center is to link area job seekers with employers.

"The employers tell us what they're looking for and the curriculum is built around that," Ms. Wachob said. "So they know if someone is coming in with a Goodwill certificate, they know they're getting someone who's ready for the work force."

This month's classes include life skills, intro to computers, and job search training. Open job training is available from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. There is no cost for the training and appointments are not required.

Goodwill partnered with several area organizations to open the center, including Cherry Street Mission Ministries and Northwest State Community College. David Conover, director of NSCC's manufacturing training center at the University of Toledo's Scott Park campus, said the new center meets many Toledoans closer to home.

"There are a lot of employment opportunities out there because employers can't find enough skilled workers," Mr. Conover said. "So there's an opportunity for someone to enter the job market and get some basic training. And there's more of those types or manufacturers coming to Toledo."

The college’s mobile advanced manufacturing training unit will likely make appearances at the Job Connection Center. Inside the trailer is an AC/DC electrical unit, robot, and hydraulics mechanism.

 Contact Jay Skebba at jskebba@theblade.com, 419-376-9414, or on Twitter @JaySkebba.