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

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new superstore and community training center in north Bend today. Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler cut the ribbon before the first shoppers poured inside. In the first fifteen minutes more than 220 customers checked out the new store. But it's not just deals on second-hand goods at this Goodwill. The facility includes a job center and classroom.

The center, located near the new Bend Costco, offers free skills training and employment services funded by retail sales and community donations. It's not just for employees, anyone from the public can attend classes on computer literacy and job skills.

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.

For the first four days, the store will be giving away $100 gift cards each day. After that, the stores hours will be 10 AM through 8 PM, Monday to Sunday.