A ribbon cutting for Goodwill's Academy took place this morning.
Congressman Rudy Yakym and local leaders attended the event on Kentwood Avenue.
The Academy provides free training for things like construction, welding, and automotive work, as well as digital skills.
They also held an open house for people to see what they can do there.
Construction is complete.
Equipment is being installed and signs have been hung. The Academy at Bendix is Goodwill’s latest project.
“This has been a long time in the making, for the last five years or so,” said Anthony Szabo.
It shares the campus with The Excel Center to provide vocational training in automotive, construction, welding and CNC manufacturing.
They also offer classes and hands on training in digital skills. The campus also shares a space where donations are being captured with new technology.
Selling clothing you might normally find in a thrift store.
“Our employees are learning a new skill with a piece of equipment that’s called a hammock. It is a digital platform that takes pictures of the clothing items that will go on Goodwill finds,” said Debbie Coble.
And these same employees are learning how to place products for sale on a global platform.
If you go onto Amazon and get a used book, there’s a good chance it’s going to come from our Goodwill in South Bend or a Goodwill across the country,” said Coble.
In 2019, Goodwill received a ten-million-dollar gift from MacKenzie Scott, philanthropist and ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, to further the mission.
With that donation, the company purchased the 100-year-old property in South Bend and began renovations.
Now complete, the building is welcoming its first batch of students. They are earning certifications in vocations desperately needing new workers.
“In Construction they are walking away with an NCRR Certification, which is nationally recognized,” said Szabo. “They do a work experience in the field. We partner with Habitat for Humanity. So, they help build a house. The students will lend a hand, use their knowledge and feel good doing it as well.”
Once completed, students can get placed with local companies and industry partners for jobs that can turn into a career.
“Anyone that goes into that field now can expect to make really good money. Our job is to get you into that entry level piece,” said Coble.
Indiana projects that through 2026 the state will have 29,000 construction jobs to fill and 14,000 automotive technician positions as well.
Persons looking to take advantage of the Academy’s training can find out more information on their website or by phone.
And that $10 million gift from MacKenzie Scott, it’s not all been spent.
Plans are underway to develop a similar facility in Elkhart County with some of the remaining funds from the donation.