As published in The Voice

September 2005
By Krista Kenner

For most of us, searching for a job is a nerve-wracking, tedious and often overwhelming experience. Scanning advertisements in search of jobs appropriate to one’s level of experience is just the beginning. After that, one must fill out intricate job applications, place follow up calls to express interest, and with good fortune, land a face-to-face meeting with a potential employer in hopes of making a good impression.

Imagine trying to complete this whole process in a new country with a different language. Every year thousands of new immigrants to the Seattle region are trying to do just that.

“The single largest barrier to employment for the immigrant/refugee population is the language issue,” said Rhonda Simmons, Executive Director of Seattle Jobs Initiative.

To help them overcome this barrier, Seattle Jobs Initiative and Neighborhood House formed a collaborative effort to deliver vocational English as a Second Language (VESL) training. Funded by Making Connections and SJI, the pilot project focuses on preparing participants for janitorial jobs with an opportunity for wage progression and career advancement.

Nicholas Muñoz came to the United States from Mexico 10 years ago, but until recently was still struggling with his English skills. He needed to find a steady job to support his family, so when he found out about the SJI/Neighborhood House vocational ESL project, he immediately enrolled. After completing the intensive, 10-week training, Muñoz was offered a job as a janitor at South Seattle Community College. He now makes $9.00 per hour and is looking forward to receiving medical benefits for his entire family within 6 months.

“My teacher was very good and paid attention to each student,” he said. “One student just came from Vietnam and didn’t know any English, but after only two months, he could speak a lot.”

Muñoz’ English skills also improved dramatically in a short period of time.

“My first day at my new job was easy, and my boss is going to teach me more,” he said.

Neighborhood House ESL Instructor, Mary Turla, teaches words and directions that get used in the workplace – such as mop, broom, detergent – but also finds herself spending a significant amount of time on each individual’s questions and concerns.

“In vocational ESL, you can plan as much as you want but some days a student has a particular situation that they need help communicating in,” says Mary. “You have to be flexible.”

Individual attention is given to each student in the program, but a significant amount of time is also spent cultivating particular employers in the White Center area. The goal is to build long-lasting relationships with employers that offer wage and career advancement as language skills continue to improve.

Since the beginning of the program, 20 students have completed the class and 4 have been placed in jobs – and the learning is shared among all partner organizations involved.

“This VESL pilot is a great opportunity for us to learn exactly what works and doesn’t work for this particular population,” said Simmons. “We want to share our experience with other agencies to enhance and expand appropriate employment services and training in this region.”

For more information about the VESL project, please contact Gloria Hatcher-Mays at (206) 628-6967.