CRANSTON – Eleven Mearthane Products Corp. employees have graduated from a new English language learner partnership the 50-plus-year-old company sparked with Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island to improve its labor force’s language skills.
Over a 12-week course, which took place on-site at Mearthane’s Cranston facility, both employees and administrators took time to go over company materials and specific language pertaining to Mearthane-related production. Participants were required to take an exam and in-class assessments to determine their level of proficiency. According to a news release, all of the participants “demonstrated a measurable increase” in conversational and industry-specific language.
In prepared remarks, Mearthane President Peter Kaczmarek called his employees “loyal,” adding, “We want them to be able to grow and develop along with our company.”
“[Dorcas] is excited to partner with a company that invests in their workforce as much as we invest in furthering the educational opportunities of our clients,” Kristen Williams, Dorcas education director, said in a statement. “The classes offered not only teach English, but also integrate American civics and industry-specific language skills. As a result, participating students build community among their fellow employees and gain the necessary skills to participate fully and productively in American culture.”
According to the June release, the manufacturing company sought Dorcas’ help in educating its employees prior to a planned expansion of the company, which will include new and more-sophisticated products and processes, which will be unveiled over the coming months.
In his statement, Kaczmarek explained the expansion “will require better communication between our team members and … customers.”
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a PBN staff writer. Email her at Gowdey-Backus@PBN.com, or you can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey.
