New Workforce Training Opportunities in Charlotte County

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - April 22, 2021 - PRLog -- HU Direct, An Express Division of Hodges University, and Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida have formed an alliance to create more workforce training opportunities that will help fulfill the needs of the region.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 8 a.m. on Thursday, April 29 at the new Goodwill Community Resource Center in Port Charlotte inside the brand new Goodwill retail store at Kings Highway in the Peachland Plaza. At this location, Hodges University has their own networked, fully equipped classroom to teach classes and hold workshops, while Goodwill hosts programs and services to help those with barriers and digital training needs.

"It may seem, at first glance, that this would be an unlikely alliance, but we have a lot of common ground that we can use to build upon," said Dr. John Meyer, President of Hodges University. "We are both non-profit organizations whose missions are complimentary.  Among other things, we both strive to be as accessible as possible to help people in our community to start or change their careers."

"We are committed to opening doors that were once barriers to the people we serve – barriers such as education, skills training, and unemployment," said John Nadeau, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of SWFL. "This project allows us to provide advancement training directly to the communities we serve by creating synergy with a like-minded organization that can enhance and compliment the programs we already offer."

Together, HU Direct and Goodwill provide a clear career path. Goodwill provides mentorship for aspiring small business owners through its SWFL MicroEnterprise Institute. HU Direct and Hodges University offer workforce-directed certificates and degrees that are in demand in the region and beyond.

Some of the planned offerings include English as a Second Language (ESL), Pathways to Home Ownership, Direct Support Professionals, plus various workshops and classes.

For more information, visit www.Goodwillswfl.org.

Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. Its mission is to help people with disabilities and disadvantages by offering life-changing opportunities to achieve independence.