Hire From Us Give to Us

Hire With Goodwill

WE CAN HELP YOU REACH YOUR BUSINESS GOALS

Why should you hire Goodwill of Orange County Program Participants?

Goodwill of Orange County is the local leader in workforce development and job placement. We have years, nearly 100 years to be exact, of experience matching the needs of employers with employees who have the skills you need.

We have qualified, eager candidates ready to get to work.

GET IN TOUCH

PROVIDE PURPOSE, PRIDE & DIGNITY

Here are some of the many reasons why you should consider Goodwill of Orange County’s many job candidates for your next hire:

  • Goodwill provides free job coaching to your candidates
  • Goodwill’s Employment Training Specialists can work alongside your candidates at no cost
  • Goodwill provides free on-the-job training to new hires to ensure they are completing their job responsibilities to your standards
  • Goodwill provides free soft skills training to help improve communication and work performance
  • There are generous federal tax incentives to partner with us
  • Goodwill tracks high retention, low turnover and increased morale among the many companies who hire our program participants
  • Studies prove that individuals with disabilities have better dependability and reliability than the typical job seeker
  • It’s good for our community!

Goodwill of Orange County’s Workforce Development Team has a commitment not only to assisting our Program Participants with a successful job search and placement, but also to you, the employers, who provide these employment opportunities.

Employers who have hired qualified Goodwill program participants include:

img
img
img
img
img
img

By hiring from Goodwill of Orange County, you are giving individuals with disabilities and other barriers the opportunity to build a career, find PURPOSE, PRIDE and DIGNITY, and reach their FULL POTENTIAL.


CONTACT US TO GET STARTED

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Our team will work with you to develop a partnership that works best for your business and your business goals. Options for hiring from our candidates include:

Hiring an individual for a specific position where the Program Participant can typically proceed through your normal hiring process. These program participants typically need assistance from a Goodwill Case Manager to secure a job. Once employed, a Goodwill Employment Training Specialist (ETS)/ Job Coach will provide the support needed to ensure a successful transition for the program participant into their new position. The program participant will receive minimal job coaching support with limited hours during the initial three month period.

The Program Participant will receive minimal job coaching support with limited hours during a three-month period. The support is provided to ensure a successful transition for the Program Participant into their new position.

The point of contact can be the program participant, case manager, ETS/Job Coach or, in some cases, a collaboration between all three.

The employer pays the Program Participant directly through the company’s payroll and can then apply for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC).
Hiring an individual for a specific position within your company. These program participants typically need assistance from a Goodwill Case Manager to find a job and to accompany them through the entire hiring process. Once employed, a Goodwill Employment Training Specialist (ETS)/ Job Coach will provide the support needed to ensure a successful transition for the program participant into their new position.

These individual Program Participants receive minimal job coaching support on a long term basis. The support will be ongoing during the duration of employment with the company.

The employer pays the Program Participant directly through the company’s payroll and can then apply for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC).
Hiring a group of individuals, in a team of three, who are accompanied by a full time job coach. These program participants need assistance from a Goodwill Case Manager to find a job, in a team of three to be supported full time by their Employment Training Specialist (ETS)/ Job Coach. The Case Manager accompanies them through the entire hiring process. Once employed, a Goodwill ETS/ Job Coach will provide the support needed to ensure a successful transition for the program participants into their new positions and support them long term. Job coaching support is full time, on the job, for the duration of their employment.

The employer pays the Program Participants directly through the company’s payroll and can then apply for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC).
On the Job Training is a service provided by the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) to employers who are interested in hiring a Goodwill Program Participant. On the Job Training is designed to create successful employment outcomes for both the employer and the Program Participant, and with funding provided by DOR, helps to offset the cost of training.

Generally, DOR offers employers up to $1,500 for On the Job Training, but additional funding may be provided if the Program Participant needs more training than usual or the position has a higher level of skill requirement.

The length of the training period varies, but usually lasts between three to six months.

The Department of Rehabilitation will draft an agreement with the employer outlining the job responsibilities and training needs, with the goal that upon completion of the On the Job Training period, the Program Participant would be hired directly by the employer.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

There are financial incentives offered by both the state and federal governments to encourage employers to give people with disabilities an opportunity to prove their worth as excellent employees.

State of California Department of Rehabilitation On-the-Job-Training: Reimbursement for job training period
  • Easy process - one letter to submit
  • Non-binding agreement is developed between a Goodwill Job Developer, the Department of Rehabilitation Counselor and you, the employer
  • Stipend issued based on the position, typically $1,500 or more
  • For more information: https://www.dor.ca.gov/Home/CreditsandIncentive

Federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC): A tax credit available to employers who hire people from specific target groups who experience barriers to employment
In 2019, Goodwill of Orange County served more than 27,000 individuals and helped more than 1,400 people with a variety of physical and developmental disabilities train for careers and employment, resulting in more than 700 placements in the community.
From clerical work and stocking and inventory, to retail work, hospitality, landscaping, custodial/ janitorial, food service, housekeeping and more, our Program Participants are capable of tackling a variety of job responsibilities and tasks. Our job coach will work with each team or individual to ensure they are completing the needed tasks correctly and safely, and are helping you achieve your business goals.
Goodwill Program Participants are typically capable of working without accommodations. If accommodations are needed, they will be discussed on a case-by-case basis with the potential employer and are rarely associated with any cost.
We have heard from many of our business partners that hiring our Program Participants elevates company morale, positivity and loyalty. For our Program Participants, employment in our community gives them much more than just a paycheck – it gives them purpose, pride and dignity. It is being seen for what you can do, not what you can’t. They are truly joyful to have a job, and joyful to get to do that job to the best of their abilities every day – and that kind of positivity can easily transfer to the rest of your team members!
Absolutely. A Goodwill Case Manager will be with you throughout the entire process. From finding the right candidate(s), to understanding the expectations and responsibilities for these individuals, to providing the trainings and checking in periodically to see how the new partnership is going, Goodwill will be by your side.
Job coaching is a service provided by an Employment Training Specialist (ETS) to assist Goodwill Program Participants with disabilities at their place of employment. Job coaching provides support to Program Participants who are learning how to perform job tasks and are developing the necessary interpersonal skills to be successful on the job. The amount of job coaching provided will vary based on your hiring needs and the individual or teams that you hire.
There is no cost to the employer, Program Participant, or their families or caregivers for job coaching services. We have great partnerships with both the Regional Center of Orange County and the California Department of Rehabilitation who make referrals to our workforce development programs and provide funding to cover the cost of our job coaching services.
Liability is covered by Goodwill. You, as the employer, are not liable for the job coach position.
Goodwill provides job coaching support services seven (7) days a week, and can work with you to create the best schedule based on your company’s needs.
Yes, Program Participants utilize various methods of transportation. For those that need it, our Employment Training Specialists and Case Managers help Program Participants coordinate reliable transportation to and from their job sites.

For more information, please fill out the form below and someone from our Business Services department will be in touch with you.






    *By submitting this form, you agree to our Privacy Policy.