New Workforce Development Partnership with Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont Through SAFE Charlotte Funding

Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont and Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte (RTGC) Partner to Advance Workforce Development in Construction Trades Through SAFE Charlotte Funding

Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont (GISP) and Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte (RTGC) have partnered to further workforce development opportunities in the construction trades and critical home repair efforts in the Greater Charlotte area.

This collaboration, made possible by funding from the City of Charlotte’s SAFE Charlotte program, brings together two organizations recognized for their commitment to empowering individuals and strengthening communities. By leveraging their collective expertise and resources, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont and RTGC will create opportunities for individuals interested in entering the construction trades to gain valuable on-the-job training while helping Charlotte’s neighbors in need.

At the core of this partnership lies a shared mission to unlock the potential of individuals and revitalize neighborhoods through education, skill-building, and service. Through Goodwill’s Construction and Trade Training, participants receive comprehensive instruction and support to develop the skills and confidence needed to thrive in the workforce.

To enhance their training, students will have the opportunity to apply the skills learned at Goodwill’s Construction and Trade Training by joining RTGC’s construction team through a series of 12-week cohorts as apprentices. As part of this collaboration, individuals will engage in hands-on projects aimed at providing critical repairs and accessibility modifications to local low-income homeowners.

"This partnership represents a powerful synergy between two organizations dedicated to advancing individuals and revitalizing communities," said Goodwill Southern Piedmont Director of Construction and Trade Planning Marvin Kelley. "Together, we are creating pathways for individuals to achieve economic independence while making a lasting impact in the neighborhoods we serve."

"We are excited to partner with Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont to provide valuable opportunities for individuals to gain hands-on experience while giving back to their community," said RTGC Executive Director Beth Morrison. "Such a partnership helps develop more talent in the construction trades and allows us to offer our repairs at no cost to homeowners."

Over the course of a year, 12 apprentices will complete the program. Each lasting 12 weeks, the partnership will create three cohorts of four apprentices educated by Goodwill to hone their skills as apprentices with RTGC. To be eligible for the program, Goodwill students must be a resident of Charlotte, have a household income at or below 80% Area Median Income, and have reliable transportation.

The first cohort of students began their apprenticeship on March 4.

This workforce development partnership is one of several relationships RTGC has to help enhance construction skills training through on-the-job experience. Existing relationships include She Built This City, The ROC, and AmeriCorps.

Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont is a nonprofit organization that connects people to opportunities to find gainful employment and meaningful work. As a social enterprise, proceeds from the sale of donated goods and philanthropic efforts fund job training and employment services offered free of charge to members of the community. In 2023, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont provided support to more than 9,000 people.

Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte mobilizes community volunteers and contractors to provide repairs that make homes safer and healthier for our neighbors in need and partners with other local organizations to connect the communities we serve with additional resources to meet their needs and help them create healthier, more vibrant neighborhoods.

The City of Charlotte’s SAFE Charlotte program aims to tackle systemic issues to ensure a community of equity and opportunity. Taking a holistic approach, the program addresses such intertwined factors as unemployment, housing, transportation, and workforce development.

First cohort of Goodwill apprentices pose for a photo in the RTGC warehouse.