SAN ANTONIO, TX – (June 29, 2023) – Goodwill is celebrating over 50 graduates who have earned their certificate of completion from one of the following Good Careers Academy programs: Medical Assistant, Nurse’s Aide, Pharmacy Technician, or Commercial Driver License. The commencement ceremony took place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jun. 29, at the Palo Alto College Performing Arts Center.

“Today, our graduates have achieved a significant milestone in their educational journey,” said Carlos J. Contreras, President and CEO at Goodwill San Antonio. “Earning a credential is the first step in obtaining a meaningful career pathway towards earning stable income and higher wages. We are extremely proud of their commitment to creating a better life for themselves and their loved ones.”

With several locations in the region, Goodwill’s Good Careers Academy supports workforce development for the community by offering comprehensive and accredited vocational training in high demand fields at no cost for tuition. Its approach to instruction goes beyond the traditional classroom setting, blending theoretical knowledge with hands-on learning. Under the mentorship of highly skilled instructors, students acquire vital skills that empower them to thrive in today's competitive job market and contribute to the economic growth of the community.

Since its inception in 2009, over 1,300 students have earned a credential from the Good Careers Academy. According to a 2020 study conducted by the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Urban Education Institute, Good Careers Academy graduates, on average, earn 73% more income four years upon completing their respective training programs. To learn more about the Good Careers Academy, as well as upcoming certification classes, visit goodwillsa.org.

About Goodwill Industries of San Antonio

Serving San Antonio since 1945, Goodwill San Antonio is a Section 501(c)(3) non-profit social enterprise whose mission is to help change lives through the power of work. In addition to operating retail stores and donation stations in San Antonio, Cibolo, Kerrville, Laredo, New Braunfels, Seguin and the surrounding areas, Goodwill San Antonio provides certified vocational training programs through its Good Careers Academy, free employment services through its Good Career Centers, and manages contracts for the U.S. government and local municipalities for outsourced business services.