First wave of employees complete workplace ESL training
Nine of the 26 employees who recently completed an on-site workplace ESL program offered by Facilities Services.
Twenty-six McMaster employees have successfully completed a fifteen-week workplace English as a second language (ESL) training program thanks to a new initiative spearheaded by Facilities Services.
The program, the first of its kind at McMaster, provides free, on-site ESL training to Facilities Services employees during work hours.
“This is something we appreciate so much,” says Milena, a custodial services worker who recently completed the program. “It’s not often that you go to work and have the chance to learn English, improve your skills and feel more comfortable speaking with your co-workers who are better English speakers than we are. That’s something very nice.”
The program was developed in response to a professional development and training survey conducted by Facility Services in which a number of employees indicated they would be interested in receiving ESL training.
Facilities Services then partnered with the Halton-based Centre for Skills Development & Training, a non-profit organization funded by the Government of Ontario, to provide the ESL IN the Workplace classes – a program geared toward workplace needs.
Carlos Figueira, director of Custodial Services, managed the implementation of the program. Figueira says he was thrilled to help develop this kind of initiative; one that responds to the needs of workers and is also in keeping with the principles of Forward with Integrity.
“We felt it was important to find new ways to support employees and to provide opportunities for continual growth,” says Figueira. “Not only are these classes providing employees with increased confidence in English conversation at work, they represent an investment in human potential; an opportunity for employees to gain new knowledge, improve their language skills and further their personal development at McMaster.”
Offering on-site ESL training during work hours has been central to the program’s success, providing many employees with the flexibility they need.
Vesna, also a custodial services worker, arrived in Canada 20 years ago but until now, her demanding schedule made it difficult for her to enroll in an ESL program.
“I tried when I first came to Canada, but because of the way life goes – I had kids and a family – I didn’t have time. But here at McMaster, they gave me the opportunity and I thought, I want to try.”
According to Figueira, there are plans to continue the program. This is good news for Milena and Vesna, both of whom say their English has improved since taking the classes and recommend the experience to their co-workers.
“It’s a great opportunity,” says Milena. “There are workers from all the other continents here that don’t speak English very well and to have this kind of English class at work – it’s once in a life time.”
