Hennepin County Technical College Customized Training Services

Purpose: To extend capacity of its model for occupational English instruction by working directly with employers, educational service providers and English language learners to promote skill development and further opportunities for career advancement

This grant is to implement and build the capacity of the APPLE (Assessment, Planning, Promotion, Learning, and Evaluation) Model for Occupational English by expanding services to small and mid-sized employers, which face barriers to retaining workers that are different from those faced by large employers. The program has selected six specific employers to work with whose needs for customized training best match the topic areas that Hennepin Technical College has identified as most in demand for more general use. Curriculum developed for these employers will later be adapted for non-customized use through workforce centers, community colleges, or other training providers. Elements of the curriculum are also being developed for sharing with other technical and community colleges throughout the state, to improve services for English Language Learners in the college system as well as in business. Toward that end, training will also be developed and delivered for an audience of Hennepin Technical College’s clients and colleagues in supervisory and management areas, in order to raise the quality and appropriateness of services for English Language Learners throughout business and educational settings. The APPLE model involves an assessment of organizational needs (including not only specific job skills but also communication among managers, supervisors, and front-line workers); development of learning tools for Occupational English learners and supervisors; building a workplace culture that contributes to the recruitment, retention and advancement of non-native English speakers; delivery of training to build language, technical, and job operation skills of English language learners and their supervisors; and assessing program impacts at individual and enterprise levels.

	Partners: (As of April 2003)
		Educational: Hennepin Technical College Customized Training Services
		Employers and business organization: PUR, Inc., Cummins/Owen Power Generation, Hypoguard, Temroc Metals, Colder Products, Twin City Die Casting Company, and Villaume Industries
		Non-Profit Organizations: None
		Public philanthropic, and other organizations: None
	Participants: English language learners employed in area manufacturing firms; depending on needs assessment, may also offer communication training to some native English speakers with limited literacy
	Recruitment: Participating employers work with Hennepin Technical College staff to assess needs and identify employees who will be offered the program
	Training: Staff provide concurrent technical and language training to students. Supervisors, managers, and co-workers are also provided training to build cultural awareness and skills for working with various populations. Non-native English speakers also receive leadership training, which is not itself management training but which may inspire some to consider management options. The Occupational English training also strives to assist participants with self-empowerment and self-advocacy within their job setting and potential outside educational interests.
	Support Services: “Organizational development” coaching to improve communication and cooperation among employees, supervisors, and managers. Also help to participants to access additional company-provided education and training opportunities outside the program
	Job placement, retention and advancement: Not applicable. Training is only offered to current employees, and is oriented toward current job skills rather than short-term advancement