Responding to growing Hispanic population, Workforce Language Services offering workplace Spanish training

April 04, 2008 (PRLEAP.COM) Lifestyle News
Workforce Language Services will be offering a workshop on Friday, April 11, from 8:00–10:00am at the Greater O’Hare Association (1050 Busse Road, Bensenville, IL) entitled From Barriers to Bridges: Improving Communication with Spanish-Speaking Employees and Customers. Approximately 80% of population growth in the Chicagoland area has been due to increases in the Latino community, and by 2050, the US Latino population is expected to triple. The more prepared Chicagoland businesses are to address the needs of a multilingual/multicultural workforce and customer base, the better positioned they will be to succeed in this market. Workshop participants will walk away with a better understanding of the changing US demographics and their impact on the workplace, as well as concrete Spanish expressions to help create rapport and improve communication with Spanish-speakers in the workplace.

“One of two new jobs is filled by someone born outside the US, and with the continued influx of Spanish-speaking immigrants into the US workforce, companies now realize the importance of training their management and staff to be more linguistically and culturally aware”, says Jill Kushner Bishop, PhD, founder and president of Workforce Language Services, LLC. In addition to a growing Spanish-speaking workforce, the current annual purchasing power of the Latino community exceeds $700 billion, which, according to Bishop, means that companies that can accommodate the linguistic needs of the Latino market will also be best positioned to win their business and customer loyalty.

To attend this workshop or for more information: 773.292.5500 or info@workforcelang.com.

About Workforce Language Services
Workforce Language Services, LLC, a woman-owned company, is dedicated to bridging language and culture in the workplace, thereby enhancing overall business profitability, creating opportunities for employee advancement, increasing respect across cultures and strengthening our communities. Services include job-specific English as a Second Language training for immigrant employees, onsite Business Spanish for companies with a large Spanish-speaking staff and/or customer base, translation and interpretation services and diversity training. Additional information: www.workforcelang.com.