DOL English Proficiency: A Survey of What Employers Need For their Spanish-Speaking Workforce
A Department of Labor Study 2004 - 2005

A 2000 report by the U.S. Census bureau showed that one (1) in five (5) residents speak a language other than English at home. Spanish is by far the most common, with about 28 million speakers. While approximately half of residents who speak another language also reported being fluent in English, the large number of residents without English proficiency raises concerns about their ability to function in the workplace. In response, DOL/ETA launched the Hispanic Worker Initiative to help workers find and prepare for new job opportunities. The Hispanic Worker Initiative was focused on helping Hispanic Americans take advantage of job opportunities in high growth sectors of the economy such as health care, information technology, automotive, advanced manufacturing, transportation and energy. The US Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (DOL/ETA) asked the US-Mexico Cultural and Educational Foundation (USMCEF) to undertake a study project to understand what employers need for their Spanish-speaking employees. The purpose of the study was to inform policymakers and others about employer needs in order to guide program development for limited English speaking job seekers and workers. To view the complete draft click here.