Empowering Young Talent: Goodwill of Mississippi Brings Customer Service Certification to Boys & Girls Club

At Goodwill Industries of Mississippi, we believe in equipping individuals with the tools they need to succeed, not just today, but for a lifetime. That’s why we were proud to recently partner with the Boys & Girls Club of Central Mississippi to deliver a powerful workforce development opportunity for local youth.

Through this partnership, participants had the chance to complete our Customer Service and Sales Certification course, issued by the National Retail Federation (NRF), a nationally recognized credential designed to prepare individuals for real-world customer service roles.

Throughout the course, students learned:

• How to communicate effectively with customers

• Techniques for managing conflict and building rapport

• Best practices for professional conduct and reliability

• Sales basics and customer engagement strategies

By earning the NRF certification, these young individuals are now better prepared to take on entry-level roles in retail and customer service, and stand out to employers as job-ready candidates.

“We’re so excited for these students to have a leg up as they enter the workforce,” said Brad Steffani, President & CEO of Goodwill Industries of Mississippi. “Not only do they walk away with a respected credential, but they also gain the confidence that comes from being prepared.”

This partnership is part of Goodwill of Mississippi’s broader commitment to building stronger communities through education, training, and employment services. Working with youth-focused organizations like the Boys & Girls Club of Central Mississippi allows us to meet young people where they are, and help guide them toward brighter futures.

We’re proud of each student who completed the course and look forward to more opportunities to support the next generation of Mississippi’s workforce.