The Retail Skills program provides real world, hands-on training in a wide variety of retail skills. Tacoma Goodwill stores provide an ideal training opportunity for people interested in the retail field.

The training program is offered in Tacoma, Yakima and Longview. In Tacoma, the refreshed Outlet store serves as the training backdrop with an assigned instructor. Store managers and employees are the best front line instructors, as they provide participants immediate feedback to participants and the Retail Skills instructor.

The program kicked off in 2009 and since then, 14 people have been served with 6 graduates to date. The goal for 2010 is to serve 23 individuals in direct service.

Kathleen came to Goodwill wanting to get off unemployment and change her life. Goodwill’s retail skills program gave the stay-at-home mom the work experience she needed to get work as a cashier.

“Goodwill gave me more confidence and self-esteem,” said Kathleen Coulombe.