August 13, 2001

NC State a Leader in Innovative Spanish-Language Certification Programs for Construction Workers

In recent years the number of Hispanic residents of North Carolina has increased substantially; according to the 2000 census, Hispanics now make up 4.7 percent of the state’s population.  Many of these new residents do not speak English fluently, which creates challenges as they seek educational, certification and employment opportunities.  A number of Spanish-speaking workers are employed in the construction industry in North Carolina.  They bring with them a positive work ethic and some construction experience, but many would like to improve and refine their skills, as well as learn about American construction regulations.

Two innovative programs for Hispanic construction workers in North Carolina are being supported by NC State’s Department of Civil Engineering.  Roberto A. Nuñez, a registered professional engineer and a lecturer and senior construction extension specialist of civil engineering and construction, is involved in the programs to assist Spanish-speaking workers in North Carolina’s construction industry.

One is a construction safety training program, the first offered in North Carolina in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), aimed at Hispanic construction workers.  Eligible workers take a 10-hour, seminar-style course given in Spanish that focuses on the four causes of 90 percent of the fatalities in construction identified by OSHA:  falls (e.g., floors, platforms, roofs), being struck (e.g. falling objects, vehicles), being caught in/between (e.g. cave-ins in excavations and trenching, unguarded machinery) and electrical hazards (e.g., overhead power lines, power tools).  Upon successful completion of the course the workers earn an OSHA course completion card in “Construction Safety and Health” that can help them achieve better supervisory status and wages through their knowledge of safe work practices.

The second program, sponsored by the American Concrete Institute (ACI), is the first of its kind in North and South America.  Nuñez is one of two course developers that allowed ACI to offer training classes in Spanish at NC State University for North Carolinian concrete/flatwork finishers, 50 to 80 percent of whom are believed to be Hispanic.  The exam given at the end of the course is also in Spanish.  This ACI certification program is now being implemented in several states in North America and in at least three countries in Central and South America.

According to Nuñez these programs are opening doors for Hispanic workers in North Carolina by giving them unique opportunities to improve their job skills in a competitive market.  As they build their skills with courses like these, these newly certified craftsmen find better jobs and fill a growing niche in the workforce, particularly in an area where demand for workers far exceeds the current supply in today’s job market.  In turn these highly skilled workers create high-quality buildings for North Carolina communities — a winning situation for everyone.

-- rudd --

Media Contacts:  Roberto A. Nuñez, 919/515-8408, ranunez@eos.ncsu.edu, Linda E. Rudd, 919/515-3848, linda_rudd@ncsu.edu