The Literacy Council has expanded its Workplace Literacy Program in collaboration with employers in Frederick County from the hospitality and tourism industry to provide English language classes for their employees. This is the fifth year that the Literacy Council is providing Workplace English classes for hospitality associates from Plamondon Hospitality Partners.  Recently, hotel staff from Cohenterprises, Inc., also began providing classes at the job site for employees from three hotels.

The purpose of this program is to empower limited English language proficient employees to find and keep sustainable employment, contributing to achieving greater financial stability and impacting the lives of their families. The program will also help employers identify and retain an educated workforce and reduce turnover, thereby strengthening the entire economic fabric of the community. The instructional content focuses on English speaking and comprehension, with an emphasis on workplace vocabulary, workplace skills, interaction among staff, and overall basic conversation skills.

Workplace English classes are also being conducted for employees in manufacturing businesses.

Previous employers include: ProList, Inc., a direct mail and marketing business, collaborated with the Literacy Council to offer classes at the workplace for employees in the assembly part of the business.  Bimbo Bakeries, USA, also worked closely with the Literacy Council’s Workplace Literacy Program team to identify employees who attended weekly classes taught at different levels.

In recent years some of our instructors have conducted classes for kitchen workers at local restaurants. The curriculum has been tailored specifically for the needs of the workers and the businesses, and the workers are “on the clock” for the lessons. Among other benefits, restaurant managers have noticed that kitchen workers and the English-speaking front-of-the-house staff soon begin to function more smoothly and amicably as a team.

“Not only does learning English help them in their personal lives, it provides them the opportunity to advance through the ranks,” says Phil Bowers, co-owner of Fountain Rock Management Corporation, which owns several local restaurants including Brewer’s Alley. “It can help someone who starts in the back as a dishwasher move up to wait staff or cook. . . . At first, when we offered the opportunity [to employees], they were a little apprehensive about it and we had only a few sign up. Now they’ve seen how much it has helped some of the other employees and more and more are wanting to sign up.”

Nezih Pistar, owner of Fountain Rock restaurants Ayse Meze Lounge and Pistarro’s Ristorante Pizzeria Napoletana, says that “learning how to speak English not only helps employees on the job, but opens the doors to education and economic opportunity, benefiting the entire community.”

We are expanding our workplace partnerships with businesses in Frederick County. There are many business sectors employing workers who have limited English or reading ability, including manufacturing and assembly, warehousing, health care, restaurants, landscaping, agriculture, and others. Learn more HERE about the benefits to employers and employees of having a more literate, English-speaking workforce, including improved attendance on the job, increased employee retention and morale, better safety records, and stronger relationships among workers.