Google Fellows help Goodwill better job training services

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The Google.org Fellowship Program is teaming up with Goodwill’s South Bend Administrative Offices on Western Avenue.

The goal is to help the organization better its job training services, so people in Michiana can find better opportunities for work.

Two Google Fellows, or “Googlers,” have been working in South Bend for four weeks, on Friday they are leaving Goodwill with improved insights to serve job seekers.

The "Googlers" have been working pro bono to give Goodwill the training to analyze local data and the ability to collect data internationally.

The nonprofit is looking at characteristics beyond demographics, which will give a greater understanding of the outcomes of Goodwill services.

President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Debie Coble, says programs and opportunities for job seekers will improve, because the nonprofit is analyzing data in an enhanced way.

“When we have a software engineer and a data analyst spending time with us and volunteering to come in and help to scrutinize our data to be able to understand it better, then that gives us insights that we’ve never seen before in who we’re serving and how we’re serving,” Coble said.

Coble says the knowledge from the data will help Goodwill reduce barriers in the workplace for participants in a superior way.

As opportunities and programs improve, Coble says Goodwill participants will be able to better care for themselves and their families.

The South Bend Goodwill is just one of ten in this pilot program.

Next, the “Googlers” are heading to Kalamazoo.