Central Ohio Adults Learn Job Skills Through ECO Training at Goodwill

Through a collaborative effort between Goodwill Columbus, Ohio State University Extension, and Connect Ohio’s Every Citizen Online program (ECO), central Ohio adults are learning important job skills necessary to be part of today’s workforce – for free. The Every Citizen Online free basic computer and Internet training is being offered through Goodwill Columbus’ Workforce Development program, which help hundreds of adults each year obtain gainful employment.

Terry Thompson, the ECO instructor at Goodwill Columbus, has taught 75 students thus far. He says he enjoys helping adults reach their goals of attaining new knowledge. Many of his students are improving skills in order to search for, find, and maintain employment or to prepare for advanced computer learning.

Marianne Robbins, a recent ECO participant at Goodwill Columbus, needed the basic computer and Internet training in order to keep up at work.

“As (computers) became a large portion of our job, we did go to a computer training class (through work), but it was very fast,” said Robbins. “It was more geared for people that are younger than me, who grew up with computers, whereas I did not. So I learned basic skills, but not to the point where I felt real confident.”

Robbins says she enjoyed the ECO training class and the individualized instruction.

“I feel more confident,” said Robbins. “The instructor is excellent because he is patient and the class size is small.”

Sherry Bocook is 50-years-old and lost her job due to a lack of computer skills. She recently participated in ECO at Goodwill Columbus after hearing about the program through Veteran’s Affairs.

“I didn’t know what to expect, but I’ve really enjoyed it,” said Bocook. “I need computer skills. I’m here to learn Word, to cut and paste to make a resume, and to e-mail. This (class) is a great resource. There should be more people here! I know a lot who could benefit from it.”

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