LCC leads effort to boost workplace literacy

Caption: Components of the English language learning program, Sed de Saber, are displayed on a table, as Gonzalo Prida Medellin, general manager of Consorcio Aduanal Prida and Multimodal Logistics Inc., addresses a conclave of city, education and private industry leaders that gathered at the local transportation company

Surrounded by the sights and sounds of a bustling transportation company, leaders from the city, education and private industry sectors gathered on Tuesday, July 27, to celebrate the launch of a new project intended to enhance literacy, promote education and support career advancement for Laredo's Hispanic workforce.

During a news conference hosted at Multimodal Logistics Inc., Laredo Community College officials announced the implementation of an English language acquisition program tailored for Spanish-speaking workers in the advanced manufacturing and skilled trades industry.

Among those present for the announcement were Laredo Mayor Raul Salinas and city Councilman Johnny Rendon.

LCC President Juan L. Maldonado said that the college is proud to be part of this innovative endeavor, which is led by the LCC Economic Development Center through the Light Manufacturing Institute.

"Laredo Community College is proud to be one of only three higher education institutions in the country picked to lead this project," Maldonado said. "As the coordinator for the implementation of this learning program in the South Texas border region, LCC is working in partnership with South Texas College in McAllen and Texas Southmost College in Brownsville."

The other two schools picked to lead the project are Houston's Lone Star College System and San Antonio's Alamo Community College District.

Maldonado added that LCC is pleased to introduce this innovative language learning program in the community.

"By allowing participating employees to learn a second language, they will help propel their companies to a higher level of global competitiveness and success," he said.

Blas Castaneda, chief external affairs/economic development officer at LCC, elaborated on the positive impact the English language learning program will have on the participants and their sponsoring companies, which also include B.A. Forwarding Co. Inc. and Allied Forwarding Corporation.

“After learning core effective communication skills, program participants will be well-positioned to pursue industry-recognized certifications in the manufacturing skills certification system endorsed by the National Association of Manufacturers through degree programs at LCC," Castaneda said.

Gonzalo Prida Medellin, general manager of Consorcio Aduanal Prida and Multimodal Logistics Inc., spoke of the need for employers to encourage their employees to be the best they can be.

"We (Multimodal Logistics) are a company that provides a variety of services, and to be able to deliver the best service possible to our clients, our company must provide learning opportunities to help employees become better at their trade," Prida said. "The English language is essential to live and work in the United States, especially here on the border region. With this skill, our employees can help our company compete locally, nationally and globally with other major companies."

Designed by the Manufacturing Institute of the National Association of Manufacturers in partnership with Retention Education Inc., the program consists of an interactive technology-based curriculum derived from the proven and innovative language learning program, Sed de Saber (Thirst for Knowledge).

"In order for U.S. manufacturers to stay competitive in today's complex global economy, we must remain committed to developing the talent and skills of the manufacturing workforce and create strategies for each challenge they face," said Emily Stover DeRocco, president of the Manufacturing Institute. "Foundational skills such as English language communication and applied math and science are necessary for all careers in manufacturing, and a worker who faces barriers in these areas will not be able to advance in the workplace."

After the announcement of the new training program, 40 employees of the third-generation, family-owned transportation company were each given one of the learning systems to keep and use during their spare time. They also received an orientation of how the learning tool works by Rafael Vargas, coordinator of Retention Education Inc.

The system's communication skills focus on an array of workplace issues, such as understanding directions and important health and safety measures, using proper manufacturing vocabulary, and reading and interpreting administrative forms.

Learning is self-paced to help participants gain English language skills to perform their jobs with more efficiency and accuracy. Tutors also will be provided to the participants to ensure that they are learning and understanding the system's learning modules.

Jesus Ruiz was among the Multimodal Logistics employees excited to start using the program.

The 31-year-old was born in Laredo, but was raised and educated in Nuevo Laredo and therefore speaks Spanish predominantly.

"I feel this is a great opportunity for our careers and to learn a second language living here on the border U.S./Mexico border, where we already know Spanish very well. This will help me perfect my English language skills," said Ruiz, who has been an employee of the transportation company for six years.

As the Manufacturing Institute meets the needs of local employers and workers in Texas, it will build upon the best practices of the pilot sites to deploy English for Advanced Manufacturing and the Skilled Trades to educate and skill the growing Hispanic workforce nationally.

Local employers who wish to learn more about workplace literacy and other training programs available at

LCC may contact the Light Manufacturing Institute by telephone at 764-5793 or by email at edc@laredo.edu.