Employee retention is a critical concern for construction companies, particularly because it is an industry where skilled workers are in high demand. One often overlooked factor contributing to employee turnover is the sense of being misunderstood due to language barriers. \u201cConstruction companies need to take steps now to figure out how to effectively communicate with their non-English-speaking employees, specifically their Spanish-speaking employees. If they don\u2019t, communication issues could arise that affect safety and make staffing even more difficult,\u201d (Sandage). Does this resonate with your company\u2019s experience? If so, certified bilingual project managers can serve as a powerful solution to address this issue, and Language Testing International\u00ae (LTI), a world-renowned language assessment provider, can be your strongest ally.<\/p>\n
Contact Us Today to Bring Language Proficiency Testing to Your Organization<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As stated by a survey conducted for ACTFL, a considerable number of U.S. employers have reported that their workforce lacks the foreign language skills necessary for their needs.<\/a> The survey also reported that approximately six in ten employers across various industries anticipate a rise in the demand for foreign language skills in the coming years, with the construction sector included in this projection. \u201cFrom benefits to leadership development and training, showing that you want to take care of your employees and help them grow is an important aspect in internal retention to overcome labor shortages in the construction industry,\u201d (Shover). In the construction industry, language proficiency is not optional if you want to retain skilled workers.<\/p>\n Consider a case scenario where a prominent construction firm that we will call Cimiento Construction is facing challenges with employee retention among its diverse workforce. Despite offering competitive wages and compensation packages, Cimiento Construction notices a trend of skilled workers leaving the company, citing frustration with communication barriers on the job site. Recognizing the detrimental impact of language barriers on employee morale and retention, Cimiento Construction\u2019s leadership decides to seek assistance from LTI, a global leader in language proficiency assessments. Company employees are assessed for their proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening in Spanish,<\/a> and through this process language skills that are lacking are identified. Armed with this insight, Cimiento Construction implements targeted language training programs<\/a> to empower its employees with the communication skills necessary to thrive in their roles.<\/p>\n As a result of its partnership with LTI, Cimiento Construction has witnessed a substantial improvement in employee retention. Workers feel more valued and understood in the workplace, leading to heightened job satisfaction and increased loyalty to the company.<\/p>\n By embracing bilingualism and investing in language training, construction companies can cultivate a more inclusive and supportive work environment that fosters employee retention and long-term success.<\/p>\n In today’s fiercely competitive labor market, construction companies cannot afford to ignore the significance of addressing language barriers to retain their skilled employees. With the assistance of language assessment providers such as LTI, the exclusive licensee of ACTFL, your company can harness the power of bilingualism to enhance employee retention and growth in this dynamic industry.<\/p>\n LTI, a leader in the delivery of ACTFL language assessments with over three decades of experience in conducting language proficiency research and assessments, can deliver accurate results. Contact LTI today<\/a> to equip your employees with globally recognized language credentials in speaking, reading, writing, and listening across over 120 languages, facilitated through secure, remote-proctored, and convenient online assessments.<\/p>\n Sources<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and the Lead with Languages Campaign commissioned Ipsos Public Affairs, with the support of Pearson LLC and Language Testing International. <\/em>(2019). \u201c<\/em>Making Languages Our Business: Addressing Foreign Language Demand Among U.S. Employers\u201d. https:\/\/www.actfl.org\/uploads\/files\/general\/MakingLanguagesOurBusiness_FullReport.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n Sandage, Erin. \u201cCommunicating with non-English-Speaking Employees in Construction.\u201d ARCORO. May 23, 2023. https:\/\/arcoro.com\/blog\/communicating-with-non-english-speaking-employees-in-construction\/<\/a><\/p>\nRetain Skilled Workers With Language Assessments<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Invest in Language Assessments and Partner with LTI Today<\/strong><\/h2>\n