Terry hadn’t applied for a job in 25 years when he came to Goodwill for workforce development services in May 2019. He came to us at the referral of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities at the Ohio Means Job center in Ross County where he’d gone for help after losing his longtime job as an electrician for a state agency.
Terry, 54, of Chillicothe, was a little unsure Goodwill would be of help, but he had nothing to lose and met with Penny Hall, one of our workforce development supervisors.
“It went better than I thought it would and was really helpful,” Terry said.
Job hunting had proved difficult for Terry, but with Penny’s help he said it was like a day and night difference. She helped him develop a resume, fill out job applications, and brush up on interview skills.
Terry landed a job at Ohio State University in the maintenance department but found himself struggling a bit in recent months. Due to the pandemic Terry had been required to use unfamiliar technology to communicate for his job, so he turned to Goodwill for help once again. Employment Specialist Amy Niemeyer met with Terry and connected him with computer skills training.
The pandemic also prompted job stability concerns for Terry as the university began undertaking cost-saving measures. Overtime, which had helped with the fuel and parking costs to work in Columbus, was eliminated and some jobs, including an electrician position he’d hoped to fill, were cut. Within six weeks of working with Amy, Terry got a new job closer to home as an electrician with Brown and Root at DuPont in Circleville.
“Before coming to Goodwill, it was like I can’t do that. Don’t even try,” Terry said. “It’s like a big weight off my shoulders.”