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Sunday, April 27, 2025 | Special Advertising Section 20%u201cOur instructors, employmentspecialists, and case managers helpstudents overcome these challengesthrough individualized support so thatthey can not only participate in our jobtraining but also reliably get to andsucceed in the workplace,%u201d says Rice.While gaining employment is animportant first step, maintaining a job iscritical to improving one%u2019s future. Rice, a former Adult Basic Studies instructorhimself, says Evergreen Goodwillclasses focus on creating \placements\alumni can establish careers after learning successful job skills, including soft skills.%u201cEvery student is unique,%u201d he says. %u201cSome have never been in a formalclassroom setting, while others haveadvanced degrees but need to re-skillor learn English. Some are older andneed to learn computer skills after alifetime of jobs involving manual labor. Many students need to return to the workplace after raising children orcaregiving for family members.%u201dEvergreen Goodwill%u2019s classes are freeand open to the public.Alumni can re-enroll to %u201cup their skills%u201d for more lucrative and prestigious positions. Graduates at times return torelate their job search and current workexperiences with students, providingfirst-person examples of success.%u201cEach person brings unique skillsand their life experience, and wesupport their search forthe best joband employer for their goals. The public may think our students are hiredSPONSORED CONTENTPROVIDED BY EVERGREEN GOODWILLAt the best job skills and educationprograms, students experiencehands-on job training, access toworkplace technology, and barrierbreaking services that clear the path to successful employment.%u201cJob training programs benefiteveryone, from individual students andfamilies to employers and the broadersociety,%u201d says Scott Rice, director of Operations for Mission Advancement at Evergreen Goodwill.Evergreen Goodwill%u2019s job trainingand education programs empowerpeople who want to work by buildingjob-ready competencies that increasestudents%u2019 earning potential. In turn,local employers gain hardworking,skilled staff who are confident to go to work and thrive. In their drive to better themselves, students must often confront and overcome extreme barriers to theirsuccess, including homelessness,health conditions, lack of accessto transportation and child care, disabilities, language skills and more. Last year, 650 Evergreen Goodwillstudents gained full employment with 442 different companies throughoutits five-county region that includesKing, Kitsap, Skagit, Snohomish andWhatcom counties. These students,75% of whom previously fell below thepoverty line, have learned successful job skills en route to economic selfsufficiency. Job skills programs promote self-sufciencyEvergreen Goodwill provides efective employment training and basiceducation to individuals experiencing significant barriers to economicopportunity. Every day we connect people with the jobs, service, and skillsthey need to achieve their goals and thrive. Because Jobs Change Lives.Learn more at evergreengoodwill.org.A student engages in an interactive English language activity at Evergreen Goodwill, practicing vocabulary and grammar on a digital board. (Evergreen Goodwill)Students participate in a free digital literacy class at Evergreen Goodwill, building computer skills to enhance job opportunities and everyday life. (Evergreen Goodwill)only for entry-level jobs, but that is notthe case. Some students are hired asmanagers or in other senior positionsif their experience and skills warrantthose positions.%u201d Job training organizations offer their students another key benefit:established relationships with areabusinesses. Rice notes that Evergreen Goodwill works with many localemployers to create positive supportsystems for job-training graduates,resulting in satisfying employment.These pipelines can alleviate oneof many pressure points studentsface when working hard to growprofessionally. %u201cOur students make hugesacrifices to attend our workforce development classes, workshopsand other programming,%u201d says Rice. %u201cAdult learners are busy people, andspending three to six hours per weekin a classroom is challenging. Ourstudents inspire me every day withtheir courage, fortitude and creativity.%u201d