[NIFL-ASSESSMENT:295] Re: construction and basic skills

From: Lynne Wilkins (lwilkins@mills.edu)
Date: Thu Jun 12 2003 - 15:20:51 EDT


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From: Lynne Wilkins <lwilkins@mills.edu>
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Subject: [NIFL-ASSESSMENT:295] Re: construction and basic skills
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Quoting Nashansen@aol.com:

> Karen -
> 
> You know what absolutely amazes me about this posting to the
> construction 
> thread?  That you get this kind of <recognition> of <need> from the
> construction 
> foremen, unions and employees.  How did that occur?  I know the
> literacy need 
> exists here in our area because our one-to-one tutorial
> community-based 
> program has a great many of its learners employed in the industry. 
> 
> 
> But to hear the big construction company heads talk, there is not a
> one of 
> their people who can't read.  Please respond if you have had some
> kind of 
> experience breaking down that wall.  And in doing so, what assessment
> of basic 
> skills did it take to give the hierarchy a reality check?
> 
> Nancy Hansen
> Sioux Falls Area Literacy Council
> sfallsliteracy@yahoo.com
> and
> Nashansen@aol.com
> 

Hello to all,

I have taught several on-site contracts with different construction 
companies hoping to improve communication and safety issues with mostly 
Hispanic men construction workers. Although the companies had the best 
of intentions, they were often disappointed in the slow progress 
(literacy level classes)  and didn't truly support the men in getting 
them freed up from their work assignments in a timely manner to ensure 
attendance. Another issue that came up was the cultural aspect of the 
men wanting to shower and change into clean clothes even if they missed 
most of the class (respect for the teacher to not attend dirty). Many 
issues interfering with success.
-- 
Lynne Wilkins, Academic Coordinator
English Center for International Women at Mills College
P.O. Box 9968, Oakland, CA 94613
(510)430-2285
lwilkins@mills.edu



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