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Goodwill’s Employment Services aid youth and adults with disabilities or other barriers in obtaining and maintaining employment. With the aid of a certified Employment Specialist, individuals are trained for all aspects of job readiness. Goodwill offers multiple employment services to meet the needs of individuals interested in acquiring successful employment.

Small Group Employment is designed for people who need to gain work skills to achieve competitive integrated employment and are interested in and would benefit from experience. The outcome of this program is to develop the necessary skills to transition into competitive, integrated, community-based employment. Staff providing this service have been awarded a Certificate of Achievement from an Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) organizational member that has ACRE-approved training.

Community Integrated Employment is traditional employment services funded through Office of Vocational Rehabilitation or Office of Developmental Programs. This service provides traditional assessment, job finding, and job coaching to individuals with barriers to employment.

Pre-Employments Transition Services (PETs) is an Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) funded program for both individual and group services for high school students. The program includes classroom instruction on Career Exploration, Self-Advocacy, and Mental Health. Individual services include community-based work assessment, job shadowing, and paid work experiences.

Re-entry Program provides comprehensive employment and education services within Lackawanna County specialty courts. Employment specialists collaborate alongside Mental Health and Treatment Courts’ health and human services providers, law enforcement personnel, and judges. The goal is to help participants identify present and long-term employment goals, develop goal plans, maintain employment/education related compliance within the courts, and learn skills that will support their vocational future despite their criminal justice involvement. Court participants receive evidence-based career assessments, develop employment skills, and create long-term plans. Court participants also learn digital skills and earn nationally accredited NorthStar Digital Literacy certifications.

Professional Connections Experience is an OVR summer program where students receive both classroom and workplace training. Students learn about different professions and opportunities in the local community. The program includes touring worksites and connecting with hiring managers. This program intends to connect high school students with the workforce and gain insight into future planning.

Digital Skills Training is funded through Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Digital Literacy and Workforce Development Grant, the Digital Skills and Workforce Development Project, provides free, accessible digital training and job seeking support to at-risk/disadvantaged populations including persons living in rural communities, women, Hispanics, Latinos, blacks, and persons living in poverty. Participants will be engaged in varying levels of digital skills training and earn nationally accredited NorthStar Digital Literacy Certificates while also receiving Employment Pathways Support, Job Seeker Training, Employment Placement Assistance, and comprehensive referral services. Referrals to free local community GED training sessions will be made as needed.