ESOL in the ESOL in the WorkplaceWorkplace

Meeting new challenges Meeting new challenges in Tennessee’s in Tennessee’s

changing workplacechanging workplace

Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Division of Adult Education

Adult Education in Adult Education in TennesseeTennessee

Adult Education is a vital Adult Education is a vital partner in Tennessee’s partner in Tennessee’s

workforce systemworkforce system

Adult Education representative on each LWIA Board

Adult Education representative on each Rapid Response team

Direct communication and coordination with Dislocated Worker Services

Fully-partnered with Career Centers

A Growing NeedA Growing Need

Source: Analysis of 1990 and 2000 U.S. Census data, Urban Institute,2002

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census

Why ESOL in the Why ESOL in the Workplace?Workplace?

► Demographic changes► Employee turnover costs @ $11 billion

yearly► ISO/quality demands require a more

educated workforce that can communicate in English

► Lack of language proficiency impacts workplace safety, productivity

► Limited language skills=confinement to entry level jobs

Tennessee ESOL in the Tennessee ESOL in the WorkplaceWorkplace

A collaborative initiative of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Adult Education, and the University of Tennessee Center for Literacy Studies

What is Tennessee’s ESOLWhat is Tennessee’s ESOL Workplace Initiative? Workplace Initiative?

► Curriculum tailored to the language needs of the employer

► Safety-first language skills► Comprehensive, focused and in-

depth► Analysis of each specific job to

determine which reading, speaking, computation and reading skills are critical to perform efficiently and effectively

Sensitive to Business Rules and Regulations

ESOL in the Workplace

Training

Know the market

Know yourcommunity

and workplace needs

Selectyour best

option

Design andimplementAction Plan

Study resultsTo improve

Sustain & GrowThe Initiative

Adult Education in Tennessee uses the Malcolm Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence as its continuous improvement and performance excellence tool

CaveatCaveat

►Language acquisition is an on-going process

►It takes time to acquire and develop language and literacy proficiencies

►Successful ESOL Workplace programs run for several cycles

►Workplace literacy is an on-going process

Beware of Hidden Costs!Beware of Hidden Costs!►20% turnover in business is related to basic skills deficiencies

►The minimum cost per new hire at entry level is $520.00 (in banking and fast food)

►It costs a minimum of $200.00 per worker for training

►Language and literacy deficiencies can reduce productivity by 8% or more

►Lower productivity diminishes bottom line profit

Source: National Alliance of Business (2001) Spring Workforce Economics, 7(1)

What kinds of businesses What kinds of businesses use this initiative?use this initiative?

►Manufacturing

►Hotel/hospitality

►Technology services

►Restaurant/food service

►Hospital

►Nursery/lawn service

►Customer service

►Any business where there are non/limited proficiency English speakers

Integrating the ESOL Integrating the ESOL population into the population into the

CommunityCommunity

Adult

Education

A stronger, economically

viable Workforce

ESOLPopulatio

n

Needs &Requirement

s

Adult Ed.Services

Results & Outcomes

Inthe

Workforce

StudentNeeds

ESOL in the

Workforces

Curriculum

Higheremployee

satisfaction

Business & Industry Needs

Higher productivit

y/ customer

satisfaction

Not Inthe

Workforce

Student Needs English

Language Classes

Citizenship &

Self Esteem

Family Needs

Career Center

Referral

Preparing for the future……..