We're starting the year off right at Goodwill by offering free classes to help you develop your skills, grow your career and manage your finances.
All of the classes listed below are free and open to the public. They will be held at Goodwill Industries-Knoxville’s Employment Training and Rehabilitation Center at 5307 Kingston Pike in Knoxville. No registration is required; anybody is welcome to attend. For more information about any of these sessions, call 865.588.8567.
Note: In the event of inclement weather, these courses will follow the Knox County Public School schedule; if schools are closed, we will not offer classes.
Financial Literacy (Two Parts)
Part 1: Thursday, January 28 – 5:30-8:30pm
Part 2: Thursday, February 4 – 5:30-8:30pm
Whether you want to get out of debt, build up your savings or plan for a big purchase, money can be tricky to manage. Fortunately, Goodwill will be offering an in-depth financial literacy class to help address these issues and answer difficult questions about money. It is recommended that participants attend both class sessions.
Networking with LinkedIn
Thursday, January 21 - 2–4pm or Thursday, January 28 - 1-3pm
Learn how to use LinkedIn, a professional social media platform, to grow your career. Goodwill will teach you how to set up a profile, use the platform for networking, discover valuable content to help you learn more about your field and apply for jobs. It is recommended that you bring your resume to this training so you can easily fill out your profile.
Resume Workshop
Wednesday, January 22 – 1-3pm or Saturday, January 30 – 9-11am
Make a good first impression with a thoughtful resume. Learn how to make a solid and effective resume to highlight your strengths and catch the employer’s eye. Classes will take place in Goodwill’s Computer Lab. We recommend bringing your current resume, or as much information about your employment history as possible.
Introduction to Computers
Friday, January 29 – 1-3pm
Not sure how to use a computer? Goodwill can help. Meet in the Bearden Goodwill’s computer lab to get hands-on experience and step-by-step instructions to learn the basics of using a computer. From turning it on to creating your own e-mail address to writing a Word document and using your first Excel spreadsheet, we’ll answer all your computer questions!
Customer Service Training
Wednesday, January 20 – 5:30-7pm or Wednesday, January 27 – 9:30–11am
This free workshop will focus on understanding how to provide exemplary customer service, providing methods to “go above and beyond” the call of duty and provide customer service which will increase customer loyalty and brand value to stores. This session will also focus on providing customer service training and encouragement from a management perspective, including applying the principles of customer service from a management level to an associate level. There will be useful tips and strategies on effectively providing customer satisfaction and resolution in tough situations in a retail or adjacent setting.
First Time Managerial Skills Workshop
Wednesday, January 27 – 5:30-7pm
Stepping into a management position can be a daunting task. Prepare yourself with this free session from Goodwill! We’ll cover topics such as training and developing new employees, leading a team and setting appropriate goals, transitioning into a supervisory role and effectively meeting expectations, and setting yourself up for a long term career with even more upward mobility in the future.
Join the Careers in Retail Initiative!
The Careers in Retail Initiative is designed to help individuals move from entry-level jobs to middle-skills, mid-management careers. Attend all required classes to receive a Certificate of Completion in Management Training from Goodwill Industries International and the Walmart Foundation, a great resume and career booster! Classes are offered on a flexible schedule at The Point's Impact Center in the West Town Mall and at the Tennessee Career Center in Knoxville. Find the schedule here, and call 865.588.8567 for more information.