Get Certified!

Goodwill offers a variety of certification programs through our Support Services Centers located in Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Muscatine and the Quad Cities.

Please review our available programs shown below. Get additional information or begin the registration process by completing the form at the bottom of this page.

 

Customer in store

Retail Certification Training Program

This industry-recognized credential is a seven-week training program that includes 70 hours of classroom instruction and 90 hours of paid training in a retail environment. Learn basic functions of loss prevention, inventory control, merchandising, and customer service. This program results in customer service and sales certification issued by the National Retail Federation after passing a proctored exam at the end of the course.

For more information, complete our request for information form.

 

Custodial Technician Certification Training Program

This program is designed to provide hands-on and classroom training to prepare individuals with the skills to successfully secure and maintain desirable employment in a custodial position in a  variety of settings including office, retail, healthcare, warehouse and manufacturing.  The program is approximately 36 hours of online training.  The curriculum is from the Cleaning Management Institute and results in custodial technician certification after passing the exam.

Training Includes:

  • The Chemistry of Cleaning
  • Disinfection: Bloodborne Pathogens
  • OSHA Clean-up Protocol
  • Emphasis on disinfection and use of PPE for COVID-19
  • Current standards and best practices for cleaning of public, clinic and all areas of a healthcare or other settings, including:
  • Above-Floor Surfaces
  • Hard Floor Surfaces
  • Carpeted Floor Surfaces
  • Restrooms and Showers,
  • Certification Exam Test Preparation
Person in hotel with cleaning cart
Janitor at Work

Local Employers who partner with the certification program:

  • Mercy Hospital, IC
  • Midwest Janitorial, IC
  • Southeastern Community College, Burlington
  • Burlington community School District
  • St. Ambrose University, Davenport
  • Mt. Mercy University, CR

Average wages for custodial jobs are:

  • Iowa City - $15.81
  • Cedar Rapids - $15.04
  • Burlington and Clinton – 12.87
  • Davenport – 12.14

 

ISSA is the leading trade association for the cleaning industry worldwide. The association is committed to helping its members change the way the world views cleaning by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment and an improved bottom line.  The cleaning Management Institute (CMI) was established in 1964 as an educational organization dedicated to the professional development of industry professionals within the building industry field. CMI certified professionals can be found throughout the world with the heaviest concentration in the United States.  The goal of the ISSA CMI Certification is to educate, certify and empower professionals within the cleaning industry.  Individuals who are certified by CMI understand that cleaning is a professional investment in human health, the environment and a company’s bottom line.  This includes the value of safety of the occupants of the building as well as asset protection.

For more information, complete our request for information form.

 

Hospitality Certification Training Program

This industry-recognized credential is a seven-week training program developed by the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute. Participants receive approximately 10 hours weekly of paid hands-on training at one of our local hotel partners. The focus of the training is learning how to provide good customer service and learning the positions of Guest Room/Laundry Attendant, Breakfast Server, and Restaurant Server. Optional front desk and Maintenance Technician training is also available. Each of the modules covered has an exam that will be given to any student wishing to attain the official industry-recognized credential.

For more information, complete our request for information form.

 

Hospitality certification image

Hospitality Certification Training Program (with ServSafe Manager Certificate)

This eight-week training program includes all aspects of the hospitality program described above with additional certification in ServSafe.  ServSafe is a food and beverage safety training and certification administered by the National Restaurant Association.  ServSafe is accredited by the American National Standards Institute and the Conference for Food Protection. Sanitation certification is required by most restaurants as a basic credential for management staff. Participants get one-on-one coaching and support to learn the material. There will be a pretest, group activities and a practice exam to ensure students are prepared to take the final exam.

For more information, complete our request for information form.

 

ServSafe Manager Certification Training Program

Workers with specialized training in food handling are in high demand! This training is a 25 hour, one-week class focusing on prevention of foodborne illnesses, food preparation, serving guidelines, food safety management,  sanitation guidelines, and more and uses curriculum from the National Restaurant Association. The program is accredited by the American National Standards Institute and the Conference for Food Protection.  The certification is required by most restaurants as a basic credential for management staff. Participants get one-on-one coaching and supports to learn the material. There will  be a pretest, group activities and a practice exam to ensure students are prepared to take the final exam.

This class will be available online via Zoom July 6-17th.  Classes will be 10:00-12:00 each day Monday-Friday for a total of 20 hours

 

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