Goodwill’s new Bend center to provide free skills training and job placement

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette will open a new superstore and community training center in north Bend on Thursday, April 9. The facility is designed to provide both retail services and professional development opportunities to the local community.

The center, located near the new Bend Costco, offers free skills training and employment services funded by retail sales and community donations. This expansion follows a year where the organization helped connect residents to thousands of local jobs across Oregon and Washington

The new facility features 10,000 square feet of retail space and a Job Connection facility. It will employ more than 50 people and host a rotating group of Career Center instructors. These instructors work with community members to develop personal and professional skills.

In 2025, Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette instructors provided more than 40,000 hours of free skills training and educational services. These classes were available to employees and community members throughout northwest and central Oregon and southwest Washington

The organization also connected local residents to more than 9,000 jobs through hiring events and job fairs last year. According to the organization, these employment specialists partnered with various companies including Amazon and Safeway to facilitate the hires.

The grand opening for the new superstore and community training center is scheduled for Thursday, April 9.

KTVZ News will be in attendance and will provide a full report in our broadcasts Thursday night.