University of Georgia
In landscape and related businesses, Hispanic workers often know very little English while their employers speak little or no Spanish. Training the workers can be, at best, awkward. A workshop May 14-15 in Atlanta, though, offers hope for speedy improvement.The Hispanic Green Industry Workers Workshop, at the Embassy Suites Hotel on Crown Pointe Parkway, will provide key information in Spanish and English for workers and employers.
The first day, which starts with 8 a.m. registration, has two tracks that will merge in the final hour for a group discussion.
During the day, English-language sessions for employers cover immigration laws; recruiting, training and retaining Hispanic workers; health and safety challenges; and learning about the Hispanic culture.
Sessions in Spanish cover safely handling and applying pesticides, basic arboriculture, learning about the Anglo culture, working in the United States, and safety and health rights as an employee.
The second day will offer three and a half hours of field demonstrations on pruning, safety, knots, tree climbing, aerial rescue and equipment.
The fee for the workshop is $35 in advance or $45 at the workshop. Send checks payable to Big Trees Forest Preserve to Rose Lewis, Extension Service, North Fulton Government Annex, 7741 Roswell Rd., Room 202, Atlanta, GA 30350.
To learn more, call Iris Magaly Zayas at (404) 347-1650. Or e-mail her at izayas@fs.fed.us.
