A $1 million grant will help Goodwill of Middle Georgia and the CSRA expand its skilled trades program.
On Oct. 1, Goodwill of Middle Georgia and the CSRA the grant from BlackRock Future Builders, a national philanthropic initiative funded by The BlackRock Foundation to train and support 50,000 American workers as they pursue careers in the skilled trades. BlackRock Future Builders is designed to help meet the country’s growing demand for skilled workers while expanding access to careers that can provide pathways to lasting financial security, according to a news release.
The grant will help Goodwill of Middle Georgia and the CSRA expand its established HVAC/R diploma program at the current Helms College campuses in Macon and Augusta. It will also support the launch of a new Electrician Technician diploma program at the Helms College Macon campus and the expansion of the existing Electrician Technician program at the Helms College Augusta campus.
Funding will equip training labs for hands-on learning, support additional instructors and help students overcome barriers including transportation, with the goal of increasing annual skilled-trades enrollment capacity from 240 to 640 students. Together, these efforts will help local residents prepare for in-demand careers while meeting local employers’ need for trained HVAC/R and electrical technicians.
“We are deeply grateful for BlackRock’s generous support. This grant will make a meaningful difference in communities across Middle Georgia and the CSRA. Local employers urgently need trained workers to fill open positions, while job seekers need access to education and skills that lead to stable, meaningful employment. By reducing barriers such as transportation and providing hands-on immersion training, we can help more people enter the workforce, support their families and achieve greater financial stability,” said Dr. John C. David, Board Chair of Goodwill of Middle Georgia and the CSRA, in the news release.
Goodwill of Middle Georgia and the CSRA is one of 15 organizations to be selected from more than 1,000 applications for grants nationwide. BlackRock Future Builders partnered with Jobs for the Future (JFF), a national nonprofit with workforce development expertise, to support the application review process.
“Skilled trades careers create pathways to economic opportunity and financial wellbeing for individuals, families, and ultimately, communities,” said Claire Chamberlain, President of The BlackRock Foundation. “Through BlackRock Future Builders, we’re proud to partner with Goodwill of Middle Georgia and the CSRA as it expands access to training and helps more people in Middle Georgia and the CSRA gain the skills and experience needed to build lasting careers.”
The broader BlackRock Future Builders initiative launched in March 2026 as a $100 million, five-year philanthropic effort funded by The BlackRock Foundation. Through its first national RFP, BlackRock Future Builders has expanded into new communities across the U.S. and is supporting organizations in over a dozen skilled trades.
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