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| Success Stories |
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Blanca Manqueros (ELA) |
Blanca’s first task at Central Market Dallas as a new hire was in the dishwashing unit, an area that did not demand English language skills. Later, when she was promoted to the salad bar, she was terrified because she couldn’t understand customer questions or requests; in fact, she literally ran the other way when she saw customers approaching.
At first, learning a new language was hard for Blanca but perseverance paid off. . Studying 2-3 lessons at a time and then reviewing those same lessons became an automatic routine every weekday evening. She now recognizes and speaks words that she previously didn’t understand and has the confidence to communicate with customers.
The investment in the program by Central Market has paid off for them as well. They now have an employee who has the ability to communicate in English and use good customer service skills. Blanca’s greatest joy is assisting handicapped customers in wheelchairs and attending to their needs, requests and questions. Blanca has become a valued employee with a good future. |
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Paula Juarez (ELA) |
The opportunity to learn English to communicate with co-workers has been Paula Juarez’s dream. In the deli section of Central Market Dallas where the kitchen is responsible for cooking all the food, there is always lots of activity and urgent communication in the kitchen. As a cook, Paula often felt embarrassed because she would need to ask questions like, “Where is the coriander?” or “We’re out of white pepper”. “Should I substitute black pepper in the recipe?”
She remembers the first day of work four years ago when the Executive Chef extended his hand to her and said, “It’s nice to meet you.” She didn’t know what it meant at the time, but she was delighted to learn the phrase and its meaning in the first book of Sed de Saber (Thirst for Knowledge).
The learning system specifically teaches the vocabulary of common kitchen practices and has enabled Paula to communicate more effectively and feel more confident in her work. Co-workers help her with English pronunciation and she, in turn, helps them with Spanish pronunciation. “This program has helped me so much,” declares Paula. |
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Mario Murcía (ELA) |
Mario wants to improve himself in every way possible and feels that knowing English is the key to reaching that goal. Above all, he wants to excel in his career at the Central Market grocery chain; he moved from the kitchen prep area to the bakery department and learned to mix and shape the bread dough to make 30 varieties of bread.
Mario was just as ambitious in learning English and worked hard to master new information. He particularly liked the feature in the SER language program that allowed him to record his voice over and over again to check for accurate pronunciation. Because he likes the idea of practicing and repeating words and phrases, Mario really enjoyed the games incorporated into each book. Another plus for him was that the program was easy to understand.
Mario enjoys speaking English with his supervisor, and his supervisor, recognizing his hard work and effort, knows that Mario is a valuable member of the bakery team.
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Doris King (SCSEP) |
| It’s Never Too Late for a GED. In 1954 Doris King completed the 11th grade in school, but on June 12, 2006 she got her GED thanks to the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). Doris had experienced several major changes in life prior to SCSEP: she lost her job due to reorganization and lost her husband of 50 years. She came to the senior job training program to update her skills and seek help in finding a job. It was then that the SCSEP staff encouraged her to study for her GED. Doris has interviewed for several jobs and is on her way to finding a second career. |
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Ruby Anton (SCSEP) |
| Ruby Anton Feels Young and Acts Young. That’s the secret of this mature worker who was placed at the front desk at the One Stop Career Center in West Dade County in Miami to greet people needing food stamps, jobs or to file for unemployment. Because she is bilingual in English and Spanish it was the perfect spot. Ruby is able to handle all the clerical duties in the busy environment and learn new things at the same time. She dresses very professional and understands the importance of punctuality and attendance. She is exposed to job fairs and local employers who come to the One Stop looking for future employees. Teri Somoza, SCSEP staff, is confident that Ruby will be hired by one of the local employers very soon. |
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Juan Baez (SCSEP) |
| A New Beginning in Life. Juan Baez applied to the Senior Community Service Employment Program as a last resort never realizing how much it could help. An immigrant from Mexico more than 20 years ago, Juan had worked in various factories in California but when the last one closed, he was out of luck and out of hope. The senior job training program and the supportive staff helped him identify what he needed to do to get back on his feet. He enrolled in an English as a Second Language course and worked on getting his GED. With that done, he enrolled in college. Juan is very happy with his progress and no longer thinks that his age is a problem. |
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| Related Information |
ETA News Release: [02/14/2006]
U.S. Department of Labor Awards $4.9 Million in Grants To Improve English Language Skills in the Workplace
Grants Will Train Workers in California, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York and Texas
Excerpts from news release-see total news release in 2006 Archives.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced five grants totaling more than $4.9 million to improve English language skills in the workplace. The grants will train approximately 4,400 individuals in California, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York and Texas.
“To succeed in the workplace, workers must know how to communicate in English,” said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “These $4.9 million in English skills training grants will help thousands of workers realize the American dream for themselves and their families.”
In Texas, a $1.1 million grant to SER-Jobs for Progress National Inc. will fund a work-based English skills program in four cities to prepare approximately 2,430 Hispanic workers for careers in the hospitality industry.
“Growing industries constantly seek out workers taking action to enhance their skills,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. “Developing English language skills will enable workers associated with these five projects to compete for sought-after jobs in growing industries.”
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