Free AI-powered program delivers skills clarity, personalized coaching, and direct employer connections to job seekers across the region
FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Rappahannock Goodwill Industries today announced the official launch of the CareerPath Accelerator, a no-cost, guided workforce program designed to help job seekers at every career stage discover their strengths, build a clear action plan, and connect with real employment opportunities in high-growth industries.
The CareerPath Accelerator directly addresses a persistent gap in the regional workforce: too many talented individuals struggle not from a lack of ability, but from a lack of clarity about their skills and how to present them to employers. The program closes that gap through a structured, four-step journey — from skills discovery to job placement — with human coaching and AI-powered tools working together at every stage.
WHAT THE PROGRAM DELIVERS
Participants in the CareerPath Accelerator receive a comprehensive suite of services at no charge:
AI-Powered Skill Check — A 20-minute assessment that simulates real job tasks to identify each participant’s strengths and transferable skills, producing an objective, data-backed starting point.
Clear Skills Profile in Minutes — Upon completing the assessment, participants receive a personalized skills profile that puts them in control of their career narrative and equips them to communicate their value to employers with confidence.
Ongoing Coaching & Support — Every participant is matched with a team of local experts who provide a personalized career roadmap, training connections, and sustained guidance — not a one-time appointment, but a continuing relationship.
Prime Access to Career Pathways — The program offers exclusive insights into the region’s three fastest-growing industries: Healthcare (fastest growing, with 8,885 job openings over the past three years at an average wage of $62,429), Technology (2nd fastest, 1,106 openings at $114,813 average wage), and Construction Trades (3rd fastest, 4,047 openings at $61,063 average wage).
Shared Success Model — The program connects job-ready participants directly to employer partners and community-rooted opportunities, ensuring placements that are meaningful — not just available.
A Winning Position at Every Level — Whether a participant is entering the workforce for the first time or navigating a mid-career pivot, the program is designed to produce outcomes from entry level to senior roles.
WHO IT SERVES
The CareerPath Accelerator is built for a broad range of job seekers, including individuals entering the workforce for the first time, professionals considering a career change, those unsure of their strengths or direction, and anyone ready to turn existing skills into meaningful employment. No prior work experience is required.
PROGRAM LEADERSHIP
The CareerPath Accelerator is led by an experienced team of workforce professionals. Marty Bywaters-Baldwin, Chief Mission Officer, brings 15 years of WIOA program management and a track record of delivering results in rural and underserved communities. Sara Drebes, Director of Workforce Services, contributes more than 20 years in youth-serving nonprofits and a decade in education to the design and scaling of the program. Mayra Martinez, Workforce Partnership Manager, leads the employer engagement strategy that ensures participants connect to real, aligned job opportunities.
QUOTES
“Your skills matter. Let employers see them,” said Marty Bywaters-Baldwin, Chief Mission Officer at Rappahannock Goodwill. “The CareerPath Accelerator gives every job seeker the tools, the clarity, and the connections they need to move forward with confidence.”
HOW TO GET STARTED
The CareerPath Accelerator is available now at no cost to eligible participants. Interested individuals can begin their assessment immediately at fredgoodwill.org/careerpath-accelerator.
ABOUT RAPPAHANNOCK GOODWILL INDUSTRIES
About Rappahannock Goodwill Industries Rappahannock Goodwill Industries (RGI) has served the Fredericksburg region since 1966, providing job placement, career readiness, and skills training at no cost to individuals across a 16-county area. Each year, RGI serves over 10K individuals and helps place nearly 2K people into jobs, supported by a network of donation centers, retail stores, and career centers, RGI connects people to opportunity and helps build a stronger, more inclusive workforce through the power of work. Learn more at fredgoodwill.org.
Contact: Sofia De Hoyos, Senior Director of Marketing. sofia.dehoyos@fredoogwill.org