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Workplace Literacy Training and Education
Customized to Your Business and Delivered On-site
Take advantage of workplace education programs that are now available at your work site. Some RochesterWorks! partner agencies specialize in helping companies enhance employees skills.
In the past, training often took place off-site in classrooms or at schools. Today, most training being proposed by companies in their BUSINYS applications is customized and takes place on the company's premises during the work day. Improved technology and processes have dramatically changed today's workplace and the skill requirements of even entry-level jobs. Good workplace communication skills, in addition to basic math and computer literacy are important employability skills across industry sectors.
Rochester City School District Offers Workplace Education
Relationship with Delphi and other Organizations Helps Employees Advance Skills
Between 5 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. every week day, employees at Delphi Corporation, 1000 Lexington Avenue, may be found at the UAW-Delphi Skill Center, learning computer programs, upgrading technical skills, getting help writing cost savings suggestions, studying for college courses, or tackling a range of other learning activities.
Three teachers from the Rochester City School District (RCSD) Department of Workforce Preparation provide the teaching expertise for the Skill Center, which is located at the plant, as part of a long-standing partnership agreement with Delphi and the local United Auto Workers union.
The Rochester City School District offers classes in:
- Microsoft/Corel computer applications
- Customer Service Basics
- Problem Solving/Decision Making
- Spanish for the Workplace
- Sign Language for the Workplace
- Time Management
- Train the Trainer
- Dealing with Change
- Stress Management
- Team Building
- Understanding the Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator
- Interpersonal Communications/Emotional Intelligence
- Reading, Writing, Math Basics
- GED Preparation
"We've developed and taught customized classes for employees of public and private organizations in Rochester since 1985," says Cheryl Grana, RCSD Coordinating Instructor for Workplace Education. Customers include Strong Memorial Hospital, Eastman Kodak, Wegmans, Laidlaw Transit and other businesses and organizations.
According to Karen Shed, who supervises training and employee development for Delphi's Rochester operations, and Bob Trouskie, UAW Local 1097 joint activities representative, some 425 employees utilized the UAW-Delphi Skill Center for more than 9,000 hours in the first three quarters of 2003. However, Shed noted, the company's relationship with RCSD dates back more than 17 years, and the Skill Center has formally existed since 1993. "Our experience (with RCSD) has been excellent."
The company benefits, Shed adds, because "employees are encouraged to advance their skill sets in many areas through use of the skill center, thereby making them a more valuable resource. Instructors offer professionalism and have backgrounds in adult education, which creates a great partnership with our employees' needs."
For information on RCSD Workplace Education programs and costs, contact Cheryl Grana, 262-8946, or cheryl.grana@rcsdk12.org .
BOCES Can Provide Literacy Programs at Your Company Site
Companies that have employees who want to earn GEDs, upgrade their literacy skills, or take English as a second language can get help from area Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) programs. For employees who do not have a U.S. high school diploma, there is no charge.
For example, the Center for Workforce Development at Monroe 2 BOCES is now providing such training on-site at a local health care facility for employees in environmental services.
"The employees want to be more efficient in their jobs and also have better opportunities for advancement in their careers," said Virginia Rizzo, Coordinator of Literacy and Special Programs. The curriculum, she noted, includes components on essential workplace skills, "step-by-step information on how to find, keep and thrive in a job." Two other area hospitals are working with BOCES 2 to start similar programs, she added.
Arlene Crestuk, Coordinator for Adult and Community Education at Monroe 1 BOCES, said that recently a company requested literacy instruction for many employees whose first language is not English, because the employees needed to take a test in order to be certified and improve their career options within the company.
"We had an ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) teacher look at the technical curriculum in order to teach English in context. That necessitated her learning about the different jobs and having a working knowledge of the vocabulary. We set up classes to accommodate the end and beginning of shifts, and grouped people according to grade level and ability to attend class during that time period. Classes were initially held on company time, as employees prepared for the first round of testing."
Many employees, Crestuk said, were successful in becoming certified, yet some employees felt they were not ready to test. Those employees continued to attend class on their own time on-site, and received additional instruction from BOCES. "The next round of testing was also positive in outcome," she added.
For more information
To learn more about the literacy programs available or to explore the many corporate training options available to businesses (e.g., computer software, machine controls, HVAC, arc welding) through the BOCES programs, contact:
Monroe 1 BOCES
41 O'Connor Rd., Fairport 14450
Arlene Crestuk
383-2219
www.adulted.org
Monroe #2 - Orleans BOCES
Center for Workforce Development
Westview Commons, 3545 Buffalo Rd., Rochester 14624
Literacy programs:
Virginia Rizzo
349-9121
General information:
349-9100
www.cwdadulteducation.org
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