Elysa – Employee Development Services

In December 2023, Elysa met with Employee Development Services to explore training opportunities to strengthen our jewelry department. After
discovering a professional gemology certification program, she proposed earning certifications that would help accurately identify precious stones.
She was inspired to improve the process when a moissanite ring was misidentified as diamond, without proper tools and techniques the two stones
are identical, and misidentification can be costly to the jewelry department.

Together, Elysa and EDS crafted a proposal to the Goodwill Funded Training Program (GFTP), a fund that supports employees pursuing education directly
tied to their roles. Elysa clearly outlined the impact of the training, reducing expensive errors and unlocking greater value in donated jewelry by properly identifying stones through this
certification program.

The GFTP works best when organizational needs meet individual passion, and Elysa is a perfect example of that match. She dedicated countless hours outside of work to complete not only her Gem Identification Certification and Diamond Grading Certificate, but also additional specializations in pearl, opal, turquoise, and more through a one-year membership with the International Gemology Society.

Thanks to Elysa’s drive, GISA can now confidently certify gems in-house, making a lasting impact on our Ecommerce sales. Jewelry may be small, but its value when accurately identified can be more substantial than some of the big-ticket items that roll through the doors.

The GFTP helps employees like Elysa pursue unique, role-specific training, but Goodwill also offers more widely used professional certifications, including CPR & First Aid, Mental Health First Aid, Forklift Certification, North Star and more. Whether it’s a personal goal or a department-wide need, there are countless ways to grow at Goodwill.