Business and industry articles

Workforce Training Helps Break Down Language Barriers

Increased cultural diversity in the Minnesota workplace is causing many organizations to address critical language and cultural barriers. From hospitals to manufacturing plants, employee language and cultural sensitivity issues are affecting communication, productivity and even the bottom line.

The Issues
"The whole key to any organization's success is communication," says Dave Anderson, dean of the Center for Professional and Workforce Development at Inver Hills Community College. "With today's global trends and a new, more culturally diverse workforce, training that addresses language and cultural barriers isn't just an option for most Minnesota businesses. It's a necessity."

Goodrich Sensor Systems is one of many businesses across the state where communication has created new, challenging issues. At Goodrich, an aircraft sensor manufacturing company with facilities in Burnsville and Eagan, non-English speaking employees outnumber those whose first language is English by seven to one. Foreign-born employees were struggling to read technical drawings and job instructions. In addition, the company's native English speakers weren't able to communicate with their coworkers.

The Solutions
To help businesses such as Goodrich adapt to a new, more diverse workforce, Inver Hills Community College and many of its sister institutions, have designed a range of customized training programs from occupational English to cross-cultural coaching for managers.

"Every organization has different procedures and terminology," says Anderson. "Customizing training is always beneficial, but when you're trying to train employees whose first language is not English, that customized aspect of the training becomes crucial. Most companies can't afford to waste time and money training employees on social English skills that won't have much of an impact in their real-world working situation."

Two general kinds of training are offered, with variations on each depending upon the work environment and training goals. Occupational English approaches English as a technical skill that is necessary for job performance. Individuals are trained in English, just like they would be any other skill and the employees are taught specific job processes by using a combination of photos, diagrams and other visual indicators.

A second type of related training is cross-cultural coaching. When co-workers within an organization struggle to understand new behaviors and cultural practices of foreign-born employees, cultural coaching helps guard against situations of misunderstanding beyond language.

At Goodrich Sensor Systems, a three-year, on-site program was customized to a precision manufacturing environment and focuses on reading and writing skills, regional speech patterns and cross-cultural understanding. The program was created to help the company increase understanding and enhance communication skills of staff and managers.

The Results
"In a changing, more diverse workplace, training like that conducted at Goodrich has fostered a new, supportive work environment with improved communication," Anderson said.

"Offering these classes on-site was extremely worthwhile for the company," Goodrich employee training manager Heather Martin said. "Several employees who participated moved on to other positions within the company, taking promotions or making lateral moves that were more highly skilled, higher wage jobs."

In all, 320 Goodrich employees completed training. Management participation in the program conveyed its importance. Native English speakers in the company now are participating more actively with their counterparts on projects. Misinterpretation of job instructions and technical drawings has decreased dramatically. With the launch of its training program, Goodrich Sensor Systems demonstrated a commitment and appreciation for its entire workforce.

Contact the customized training division at a Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System campus near you to discuss a program tailored specifically to your workplace needs. Or, you can locate a program by calling the system's customized training toll-free number at 1-800-366-7380.