Union Construction Academy Holds Virtual Construction English Classes for Workers

Last week the Maine AFL-CIO's Union Construction Academy held our first virtual session of our new English for Construction training program. The participants included nine asylum seekers based in the Portland area, from nations including Angola, Congo-Brazaville, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, and Togo. Several of the participants were graduates from our Union Construction Academy pre-apprenticeship program who are currently working as union members with the Laborers and Carpenters unions.

They explained that they are specifically interested in working on their conversational English so that they can learn new skills and communicate more comfortably with co-workers on their job sites. Others who came to the session have previous experience in construction, but are working to improve their English so they can participate effectively in our pre-apprenticeship program and get certifications and training they need to enter Union registered apprenticeships.

Bonnie Shulman, a retired math professor who has experience leading business English trainings with the Androscoggin Literacy Volunteers, is leading the sessions. The discussions focus on practical language that will help the participants to work safely and engage coworkers in conversation.

Over the course of our six-week pilot, we will be working through videos featuring vocabulary on tools, personal-protective equipment, different trades, apprenticeship, and union membership. The pilot will continue for six weeks, after which we will assess the progress that the participants have made and evaluate next steps for continuing and opening up the opportunity for others.

For more information about the classes or the next cohort of the Union Construction Academy pre-apprenticeship program contact Sam Boss, sam@mainealfcio.org.