Career Technical Education
Goodwill of Silicon Valley’s Career Technical Education program provides adults with a pathway to stable, long-term employment and personal and professional growth through no-cost, short-term, entry-level skills training. The CTE training programs are designed to provide a safe, professional, and productive learning environment for all students.
As part of Goodwill of Silicon Valley Mission Services CTE is dedicated to providing opportunities and serve veterans, clients with different abilities, previously incarcerated individuals, unhoused individuals, displaced workers and others that are unemployed or under-employed needing support during their journey to self sufficiency.
How to enroll in Goodwill’s CTE Courses:
Step 1 – Review the CTE Courses
Select any specific course to learn more about its contents, requirements, and schedule.
Step 2 – Complete and submit your Application
Complete the Application here
Steps 3 & 4 – Attend Information Session and Take Math Assessment
If you meet our Eligibility Requirements, you will be invited via email to sign up for an upcoming Information Session. These are held in-person at 1600 Technology Drive in San Jose.
At the conclusion of the Information Session, if you wish to continue with enrollment, you will take a program-specific Math test. (We strongly encourage you to take this test while you are on site for the Information Session. Alternatively, you can schedule another time to come in to take your Math test.)
Step 6 – Schedule Interview
If you pass your Math test, you will be invited (via email) to schedule an interview with the CTE team. There you will also sign a Background Check Consent Form. (If you do not pass the math test, you can arrange to re-take it one time.)
Step 7 – Background Check
Goodwill will conduct a background check. Goodwill is a second-chance service provider; results may or may not affect eligibility for enrollment.
Step 8 – Receive Enrollment Decision
The CTE team will notify you of your enrollment status and other logistics no later than two weeks prior to the start date of your preferred course.
CTE Eligibility Requirements
- Age 18 or older
- Authorized to work in the U.S.
- Resident of Santa Clara County*
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If justice-impacted: not currently awaiting trial or sentencing for a charge that could result in incarceration
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Able to learn and communicate effectively in English**
*We will consider residents of adjacent counties (San Benito, San Mateo, Alameda, and Santa Cruz) for enrollment on a space-available basis and provided other requirements are met.
**All of our courses are taught exclusively in English, and unfortunately, we don’t have the capacity to provide translation for those who cannot learn and communicate in English.
Not sure if you qualify?
If you’re facing challenges in any of these areas or have questions about your specific situation, please reach out to us via email: cte@goodwillsv.org. Our team is here to talk through your options and may be able to connect you with resources to help you get ready for a future session.
Interested in Enrolling in a Goodwill CTE Course?
Apply today to begin your journey!
Click on the images to read details about the CTE courses
Goodwill CTE Testimonials
What was your favorite part of the training?
Esmeralda – Construction Carpentry (forklift certification) – “Working as a team, supporting each other, felt like a family, if mistakes were made the instructors didn’t get frustrated, but rather improvised in a good way and were very patient”
What advice would you give others?
Tao – Service Fundamentals – “It’s better to fill some time during their available time to learn and grow for your own good and future.”
What was your experience during the training?
Ernest – Construction Electrical Training – “The experience was beautiful. Instructors were really good and helpful, took their time, even if messing up were patient and walked students through until they got it”
Leo Flores
John Mejia, the instructor and owner of I Am Air Mechanical, was super patient and kind. The first day I wanted to quit and John encouraged me to stay and stick with it. Now I have graduated, I have my EPA Certification, certifications, and opportunities.
Make sure you take notes. Notes pay off later on, while working I brought my notes and was reading my notes on the job. If you forget an answer while working, take notes and pay attention.
Advice I would give is to pay attention, it pays off when you put in the work you see results. Pay attention to videos because that is what you see in the field. When the class is hands-on don’t be afraid to volunteer, go to the front of the class, even when you do not know what you are doing.
James Kirkland
The mentorship CTE Staff provided and the family oriented environment at Coast to Coast Truck Driving School was motivating to continue through and be successful. Coast to Coast provided everything you need to know to pass. They were encouraging, down to business, organized, and consistent. It was helpful to have leadership and a professional guiding me. This helped boost my confidence to continue.
Guidance for anyone interested is to be focused, get rest, have patience, and believe.
Advice for future participants is to figure out if your work is flexible before you enroll in the program. Whatever your schedule is, try to figure out if your work is flexible before enrolling.