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ETA News Release: [07/29/2004]
Contact Name: Lorette
Post
Phone Number: (202) 693-3984
U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces $600,000
to Study Hispanic Worker English Proficiency
WASHINGTON—U.S.
Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced $600,000 for a study of the
level of English proficiency that various employers require of their Hispanic
workforce. The study, the fourth activity funded under the
National Hispanic Worker Initiative,
will be conducted by HMA Associates Inc. in partnership with the U.S. Mexico
Chamber of Commerce.
“This Administration wants to help Hispanic workers succeed in the
workforce,” said U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao. “One of the
most valuable work skills is knowing how to speak the language. This survey
will help the Department hone in on what we need to do to help Hispanic workers
more.”
The U.S. Mexico Chamber of Commerce Cultural and Education Foundation
will identify survey sites, representing communities with large numbers of
Hispanics or major Spanish-speaking population growth over the last decade. The
sites will also include a diverse number of high-growth industries, as
identified by the President’s High Growth Job Training
Initiative.
The study will engage employer members of the U.S. Mexico Chamber of
Commerce to determine the level of English proficiency expected by local
employers; how the level of English proficiency required varies with the type
of work performed; methods used by employers to assess applicant proficiency;
and services or programs employers use to help workers improve workplace
communication.
“This Administration is committed to ensuring that workers with
limited English proficiency have opportunities to increase their language
skills,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training
Emily Stover DeRocco. “Hispanic Americans are an increasingly vital part
of our workforce. Learning more about the employment barriers they face will
help the public employment and training system better prepare them for careers
in industries that need good workers now and into the future.”
The National Hispanic Worker Initiative
is part of a larger effort to link the resources of the $15 billion public
workforce investment system to jobs in demand. Currently, the Labor
Department’s Employment and Training Administration has identified 12
high-growth industries and is funding unique, industry-driven demonstration
projects through the President’s High Growth Job Training
Initiative. These include Hispanic workers in their overall service
strategy.
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