Mixed-Methods Analysis of the Educational Needs of Employers and Non-English Speaking Workers in Arboriculture

Arboricultural employers and non-English speaking workers were surveyed to acquire information about their outreach educational needs. Results suggest that language barriers sometimes reduce job performance and threaten worker safety and relationships. Respondents stated that employee performance wo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of extension 2008-04, Vol.46 (2)
Main Authors: Ricard, R.M, Legrand, A.I, Hirsch, D.W, Gabany-Guerrero, T, Guerrero-Murillo, N
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
agricultural education
arboriculture
arborists
cultural training
educational methods
English language training
extension education
forestry
Hispanics
human resources
immigrants
needs assessment
outreach
supervisors
surveys
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Summary:Arboricultural employers and non-English speaking workers were surveyed to acquire information about their outreach educational needs. Results suggest that language barriers sometimes reduce job performance and threaten worker safety and relationships. Respondents stated that employee performance would improve if workers received English language and cultural training. Method of education mattered, with face-to-face learner and educator contact as the preferred method. It is recommended that arboriculture employers and outreach educators provide English language and cultural outreach education opportunities to arboriculture workers whose first language is not English, then follow this with arboriculture training and information (such as pesticide safety).
ISSN:1077-5315
1077-5315