Spanish Training for the 

Ammonia Refrigeration Industry: 

With  the significant growth of the Latino workforce comes the need for Spanish-language training.

“GCAP NEW” Spanish Course: 2010-2011
Tyler Ramos  (Center picture first on right) has become a full time staff member that has fulfilled a weakness in our training program. Mr. Ramos comes to us from Tyson’s with over 20 years experience in the mechanical, refrigeration, and engineering for food processing plants. He has worked for me in the late 90’s for close to 3 years and is one of the best field operators/trainers in the industry. We are very please with the return to our staff and very excised about the growth and dedication that he brings to the table. We are so excited to provide the only industrial refrigeration program in the industry with a Spanish Instructor.
Our customer base is changing. We still deal with many of the same companies when it comes to training, but those companies have changed internally. We work hand and hand with the Spanish/Latino operators to help make them aware of the safeties and operational skill that are needed to become an entrée level operator. We can help with some reading disability on test day and we offer a return program at no cost to our customers if the student need more time to understand the training. We like to have the operators to read 8th grade level English so they can return and follow companies’ standards. If your company use Spanish SOPS only. We need to put this student in a special course that is lab with an “S” (Spanish RETA Book One is used) (Operator One S) We do three of four a year, and as the demand grow, more will be added.
What once was an experienced English-speaking work force has gradually shifted toward a younger work force that doesn't necessarily speak English as its first language. Nearly one out of every four construction workers in the United States today is Latino, and the percentage and the absolute number of Latino construction workers, plant mechanics, particularly non-native Latinos, is growing. Unfortunately, more than two thirds of construction-related accidents occur among these workers.
To help ensure that workers are able to operate systems, we have a responsibility to offer appropriate training. While training in both English and Spanish is not mandatory, your company should strongly consider providing operator safety training in both languages as a service to your employees and to help reduce accidents.
The main reason for providing an English/Spanish-language training course is increased student comprehension. Students understand more when materials are presented in the language they are most familiar with. For instance, if you were to speak Spanish as a second language, could you follow a training course delivered in Spanish and feel as confident as you would if you received that same course in English?
When developing or implementing any training program, it should be the industry's shared desire to ensure that training is available and conducted on a consistent basis. Many translators are not aware of technical terms or construction practices. There are also several Spanish dialects that need to be considered. There can also be a cultural difference when delivering training. English training practices are a bit rigid. Spanish speakers generally respond best to a highly interactive, collaborative environment. A more lively presentation of material is more effective. So, our mission is to develop an excellent, English/Spanish language operator training program for 2010 is a top priority. The bottom line is that the fail rate for non specking operators is very high. Industrial Ammonia Refrigeration systems are in the technical field and it takes a lot of work to be successful. But if the student is capable to learn, we should be capable to teach. Operators need strong mechanical aptitude, basic mechanical shills and knowledge of machinery, basic electrical skills, basic communication skills, basic math skills Basic computer skills. This is what is listed in the iiar standard for good operators.