Goodwill Arkansas announced Wednesday that it will expand access to high-demand training and industry-recognized certifications for Arkansans through a $77,000 grant from the Caterpillar Foundation and Google’s Career Certificates initiative.
The funding will support scholarships through Goodwill’s Training and Education Centers and give participants access to certificate programs in fast-growing fields such as IT support, project management, data analytics, and AI essentials—the newest course added to GTEC’s program. Along with online coursework, learners will also receive in-person support for enrollment and program navigation.
“Access to workforce training should not depend on your ZIP code,” said Edie Stewart, senior vice president and chief mission officer of Goodwill Arkansas. “This funding allows us to expand access to high-demand digital skills and certifications for Arkansans who are ready to build a better future for themselves and their families. For many people in rural communities, online training can be the bridge between where they are and where opportunity is growing. We are proud to help make that bridge stronger.”
This initiative is part of a broader national workforce effort tied to Caterpillar’s $100 million commitment to upskill workers for the AI era and strengthen the future workforce. It also builds on the long-standing partnership between Goodwill and Google, which has expanded digital literacy and workforce training opportunities across North America through the Goodwill Digital Career Accelerator, according to a press release.