This celebration recognizes the remarkable resilience, growth, and readiness of graduates to contribute meaningfully to Georgia’s workforce. This year’s graduates reflect the full breadth and diversity of the region: They range in age from 15 to 77, with 445 men and 333 women graduating. The majority (68.4%) identify as Black, African American, or African, followed by white (23.8%), Asian (0.8%), Indigenous (1.7%), and individuals of other or undisclosed backgrounds. More than 240 graduates are under the age of 25, and over 100 are returning citizens who have reentered the workforce through training and support.

Graduates completed training in high-demand fields such as Welding, Forklift Operations, Phlebotomy, Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE), Retail Customer Service, and Medical Billing and Coding. These programs, led by Goodwill’s 14 Career Centers, include career coaching, certifications, and wraparound services tailored to support job seekers overcoming barriers to employment.

These offerings are especially timely as employers across Metro Atlanta continue to face worker shortages in logistics, healthcare, skilled trades, and manufacturing. With more than 260,000 open positions statewide and fewer than 200,000 unemployed workers available to fill them, the role of workforce development organizations like Goodwill is more critical than ever.

“This graduation is a testament to what’s possible when we meet people where they are and invest in their future,” said Keith Parker, President and CEO of Goodwill of North Georgia. “Each graduate represents a story of resilience, transformation, and the belief that with the right support, everyone deserves access to meaningful work.”

Honoring Stories of Triumph and Transformation

Among the hundreds of graduates, three individuals will be recognized as Graduates of the Year, representing different regions across North Georgia:

• Thomas Fry (Cornelia Career Center): After overcoming addiction and a criminal record, Thomas enrolled in Goodwill’s Welding program. He earned certifications in MIG welding, OSHA 30, CPR & First Aid, and secured employment at Royston LLC. He now mentors other students and recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to represent Goodwill and advocate for workforce development on Capitol Hill.

• Robert Thomas (South DeKalb Career Center): A single father experiencing homelessness, Robert lived in his car while attending classes and walking his young son to school each morning. He graduated from Goodwill’s Welding program and now works full-time at McKenney’s Inc. as a welding apprentice. With stable housing and a long-term career path in place, he is focused on building a better future for his family.

• Kathy Augustus (Woodstock Career Center): Kathy completed Goodwill’s self-paced Medical Billing and Coding program, balancing personal challenges and independent study. She passed one of the industry’s most difficult certification exams and now works at United Healthcare, where she has launched a new chapter in her professional journey.

These honorees represent just a few of the hundreds of stories from this year’s record-breaking class. Each graduate demonstrates the value of accessible training and the long-term impact of workforce-focused nonprofits in building resilient communities.