Goodwill Industries of Central Florida announces new Tuition Scholarship Program

Goodwill Industries of Central Florida recently announced yet another way it will help to pave the way for its employee's futures. 

The nonprofit organization announced its new Tuition Scholarship Program on Tuesday, May 3. 

The prepaid tuition program will cover the cost of college or vocational school for Goodwill's employees.

In a press release, Goodwill stated that all part-time and full-time GICF employees, with at least 90 days of continuous employment, are eligible to have 100% of their tuition, books and other fees covered in advance, rather than being reimbursed after the fact. 

In addition, those who are interested in the program will be paired with a Prosperity Planner, a Goodwill team member who specializes in financial and career goal strategies, to help develop an individualized action plan and provide one-on-one coaching. 

Those who are interested must be enrolled at a Florida public college or university, accredited technical college or trade school in addition to maintaining a passing grade of “C” or its equivalent. 

Ed Durkee, president and CEO at GICF, said Goodwill believes the cost of education should not stand in the way of aspirations, and the company intends to provide employees with the financial pathway to achieve a degree or skilled trade.

“We want our employees to be trained to be successful at their jobs – and we want their jobs to help them accomplish the goals they desire in life," Durkee said. 

The new tuition program embodies Goodwill’s mission of “building lives that work,” and, as an addition to a highly rated benefits package, it serves as an incentive to attract new employees. 

Currently, GICF employs more than 1,200 individuals across Orange, Osceola, Lake, Brevard, Seminole and Volusia counties. 

The nonprofit also has various job openings in departments including retail, warehouse, transportation, HR and IT, for those who wish to get involved. 

Anyone interested in working at Goodwill can fill out an application here and monitor the organization’s Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages for announcements about upcoming hiring events.