Pictured is Mitchell Fiandt, manager of Goodwill Community Career Center, Warsaw, with the many job postings updated daily near the front door. InkFreeNews photos by Phoebe Muthart.

By Phoebe Muthart
InkFreeNews

Goodwill Community Career Center bring services to both individuals and businesses. It hosts job fairs and hiring events for employers, as well as assisting individuals in the job search process.

Resume writing, interview preparation, and development workshops are just a few of the free services made available to the Kosciusko County community.

With many unemployed, furloughed or laid off in Kosciusko County, the career center can help. Mitchell Fiandt, Warsaw’s Community Career Center manager, said all the help is free. These services are made possible by sales from Goodwill’s retail store, located directly next to the career center. Proceeds from Goodwill’s store donations and retail sales help those looking for work.

“Every 89 cents to a dollar goes into our workforce development services,” said Fiandt.

A variety of jobs in Kosciusko County are available. Manufacturing, retail, medical, factories, and other full- or part-time jobs are all available in the county.

“There are jobs available,” said Fiandt. “It just depends on what you’re looking for.”

From expectant mothers to senior citizens, Goodwill can help most any adult, including expectant or new mothers, seeking career advice.

“We are a cradle to grave service. This is a hidden, well-kept secret,” said Debie Coble, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Michiana, of the career center.

Once unemployment runs out for people in July and August, Fiandt said people will be looking for jobs again or might want to make a career change. Resume writing is another service at the Goodwill Community Career Center.

“We do about 30 to 40 resumes a month,” he said. “I’ve done five (resumes) this month.”

The career center also hosts job fairs and hiring events. January’s job fair had 90 people attend.

“It was our most successful,” he said. “We have a wide array of clients. It’s an interesting mix of jobs.”

Due to the cornonavirus, Fiandt said he is hoping to do an online virtual job fair and possibly partner with Ivy Tech Community College.

“The more companies we have the more variety and quality,” he said. “We hope for a good turnout for whatever we do.”

Goodwill is hosting several virtual workshops in June. A job application workshop is from 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, June 10.
Google It! virtual workshops are from noon to 1 p.m. each Friday in June. For the second year, Google IT support classes can be done at home online.

“They vary from month to month,” he said of Goodwill’s workshops.

Virtual mock interviews will be Monday, June 15. Call to schedule a time between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The mock interview process is conducted virtually.

“We will host this remotely, via Google Meet, so you can practice from the comfort of your home,” he said.

Indeed and Goodwill virtual workshops are from 3-4 p.m. each Thursday in June. In addition, Goodwill partnered with Indeed.com to assist those in their job search. Visit www.Indeed.com/Partner/Goodwill. For help filling out a job application, visit digitalskills.Goodwill-NI.org.

While appointments are preferred, the career center has walk-in services, too, said Fiandt. To receive links and/or to schedule one-on-one services, email [email protected] or call Fiandt.

Goodwill’s Career Center is located at 751 Anchorage Point Drive, Warsaw. For more information, call (574) 269-1351, ext. 1. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Goodwill Community Career Center in Warsaw can help the unemployed with a variety of resources. Pictured are Debie Coble, left, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Michiana, and Mitchell Fiandt, the Warsaw career center’s manager.