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Kansas City, Missouri, April 19, 2022 – Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas (MoKan Goodwill) today announced that it is working with IBM to provide education and career readiness resources to local job seekers. To that end, MoKan Goodwill is providing enhanced access to IBM SkillsBuild for Job Seekers, a free program that helps prepare users for in-demand, entry-level IT roles in many industries.
“We are very excited to partner with IBM to connect individuals in our region with the amazing learning opportunities available on IBM SkillsBuild,” said Katherine Maloney, Director of Workforce Development, MoKan Goodwill. “This is a unique opportunity for job seekers to learn practical skills and earn badges that will prepare them for jobs in the tech sector.”
As part of the collaboration announced today, MoKan Goodwill will work directly with local job seekers, enhancing their IBM SkillsBuild experiences, by offering career exploration and employment services to individuals who are pursuing a career in the tech industry or in another field utilizing skills in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, or the internet of things.
“We’re happy to be working with MoKan Goodwill as part of our commitment to providing free education on cutting-edge technologies, with a focus on underrepresented communities,” said Steve Pearson, United States Corporate Social Responsibility Leader at IBM. “Local job seekers will have free access to IBM SkillsBuild, helping learners develop valuable technical skills and preparing them for entry-level and mid-career job roles.”
More than 42% of all jobs will require new tech-focused skills like analytics or design thinking by 2022, yet the pandemic exacerbated an already glaring global skills gap with too few skilled positions filled and widespread interest by working-age individuals in acquiring new skills for better jobs. According to World Economic Forum, closing the global skills gap could add $11.5 trillion to global GDP by 2028, but education and training systems must keep pace with market demands.
IBM and MoKan Goodwill’s collaboration is part of IBM's pledge to provide 30 million people of all ages, particularly those from under-resourced or traditionally underrepresented populations, with new skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow by 2030.
Interested job seekers can learn more about these opportunities at https://www.goodwillartemisinstitute.com/courses/preview/37
About Goodwill of Western Missouri & Eastern Kansas
Founded in 1894, Goodwill of Western Missouri & Eastern Kansas is a CARF-accredited 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals of all abilities obtain jobs, essential skills training, and personal development opportunities. Recognized as an “Employer of Choice” with a GuideStar Seal of Transparency, our agency operates regional retail stores and donation centers that generate funds to support our Mission, with 88¢ of every dollar earned committed to empowering local job seekers. As a Kansas City Industrial Council (KCIC) gold medal winner, MoKan Goodwill is also recognized as a leader in sustainability, annually diverting more than 16 million pounds of donated materials to resell, reuse or recycle. In 2021, we served 4,840 individuals, providing nearly 9,000 employment services, and assisting with 811 job placements.
Learn more at www.mokangoodwill.org. To see all the good we do together, follow us on Facebook, Google +, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube.
About IBM Education
IBM’s education portfolio strives to take a personalized, diverse and deep approach, reflecting IBM’s understanding that a one-size-fits-all approach isn't enough when it comes to education. IBM’s programs range from education and support for teens at public schools and universities, aspiring professionals, and job seekers. IBM’s longstanding commitment to education has long been core to its corporate social responsibility initiatives.
IBM SkillsBuild for Job Seekers is a free, digital training program that helps adults develop valuable new skills and find jobs regardless of their background or education. It offers 1,000+ courses for workplace skills like collaboration, critical thinking, and presentations, and more technical skills like data analytics, cybersecurity, AI, cloud computing, and blockchain. Its goal is to reskill or upskill learners, particularly from under-resourced or underrepresented backgrounds, and to make them job-ready within six months. It provides diagnostics, online coursework, resume-building certifications, and 1:1 coaching from mentors.
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