Success Stories

Workplace Basic Skills in Washington State Home Page

Success Stories

A variety of companies around the state offer workplace basic skills programs. Each program is customized to the company goals, needs and resources. Employers report different impacts resulting from training efforts: enhanced work performance, promotions, improved safety records, higher employee morale, better work attendance, and increased productivity. All companies share a strong commitment to investing in training for their employees.

American Design & Manufacturing, Inc., Seattle, WA
Boston Scientific Corporation, Redmond, WA
Itron, Inc., Spokane, WA
Maplewood Park Apartments, Renton, WA
Marriott Hotel, Seattle, WA
Providence Seattle Medical Center, Seattle, WA
TreeTop, Inc., Yakima, WA

American Design & Manufacturing, Inc.

Education Partner: Seattle Central Community College
promotional products and marketing manufacturer 40 employees Contact: Nancy Strom, nancy@adamonline.com

At this small business, the owner not only found a program to improve the language skills of immigrant employees, but helped run it. Bi-weekly classes in the conference room were offered with partial release time, and a Buddy Program paired native and non-native English speakers for lunchroom conversation. The program has broken the language barrier between the production and sales departments and improved relationships company wide.

Boston Scientific Corporation

Education Partner: Edmonds Community College
medical device manufacturer 380 employees Contact: Bea Ornelas, ornelasb@bsci.com

With a large commitment to training and a small start-up grant, Boston Scientific created a program to improve the literacy skills of its U.S. born and immigrant employees in 1997. Two years later, new management is fully supporting and expanding the program. Why? Consistent gains in employee skills, job performance, and participation in meetings.

Itron, Inc.

Education Partner: Community Colleges of Spokane
high-tech automatic meter reading manufacturer 450 employees Contact: Roger Ingbretsen, roger.ingbretsen@itron.com

Through layoffs and high production periods, Itron has continued to hold training in Total Quality management (TQM), including communication, math and computer skills. With classes scheduled at convenient times (sometimes at odd hours) and full release time, employees have improved their skills in operating in a team enviornment, problem solving and dealing with conflict. Productivity and work attendance have increased as well, according to the compnay.

Providence Seattle Medical Center

Education Partner: South Seattle Community College
non-profit regional hospital 1400 employees Contact: Susan Bannan, sbannan@aol.com

Due to dedicated time and space for training, Providence's basic skills program has succeeded despite the challenge of a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week workplace. The program, which has run since 1987, includes a computer lab, tutoring and classes. Employees have become more capable using the computer system and communicating with one another. Many have earned their GED or gained citizenship, and others have received promotions.

TreeTop, Inc.

Education Partner: Yakima Valley Community College
apple processor 1,000 employees Contact: Betsey Breach, bbreach@treetop.com

When the cooperatively owned company wanted to incorporate statistical process control and TQM standards in 1991, they learned that basic skills needed to come first. A flexible lab-style progrm with incentive began with a small grant, a part-time teacher, coordination from the Vice President of Human Resources and the backing of the board of directors. The evidence that the program was working was so strong--high enrollment plus community visibility for Tree Top--that the company fully supported the program after the grant.

American Design & Manufacturing, Inc.
Education Partner: Seattle Central Community College	promotional products and marketing manufacturer	40 employees	Contact: Nancy Strom, nancy@adamonline.com
At this small business, the owner not only found a program to improve the language skills of immigrant employees, but helped run it. Bi-weekly classes in the conference room were offered with partial release time, and a Buddy Program paired native and non-native English speakers for lunchroom conversation. The program has broken the language barrier between the production and sales departments and improved relationships company wide.

Boston Scientific Corporation
Education Partner: Edmonds Community College	medical device manufacturer	380 employees	Contact: Bea Ornelas, ornelasb@bsci.com
With a large commitment to training and a small start-up grant, Boston Scientific created a program to improve the literacy skills of its U.S. born and immigrant employees in 1997. Two years later, new management is fully supporting and expanding the program. Why? Consistent gains in employee skills, job performance, and participation in meetings.

Itron, Inc.
Education Partner: Community Colleges of Spokane	high-tech automatic meter reading manufacturer	450 employees	Contact: Roger Ingbretsen, roger.ingbretsen@itron.com
Through layoffs and high production periods, Itron has continued to hold training in Total Quality management (TQM), including communication, math and computer skills. With classes scheduled at convenient times (sometimes at odd hours) and full release time, employees have improved their skills in operating in a team enviornment, problem solving and dealing with conflict. Productivity and work attendance have increased as well, according to the compnay.

Providence Seattle Medical Center
Education Partner: South Seattle Community College	non-profit regional hospital	1400 employees	Contact: Susan Bannan, sbannan@aol.com
Due to dedicated time and space for training, Providence's basic skills program has succeeded despite the challenge of a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week workplace. The program, which has run since 1987, includes a computer lab, tutoring and classes. Employees have become more capable using the computer system and communicating with one another. Many have earned their GED or gained citizenship, and others have received promotions.

TreeTop, Inc.
Education Partner: Yakima Valley Community College	apple processor	1,000 employees	Contact: Betsey Breach, bbreach@treetop.com
When the cooperatively owned company wanted to incorporate statistical process control and TQM standards in 1991, they learned that basic skills needed to come first. A flexible lab-style progrm with incentive began with a small grant, a part-time teacher, coordination from the Vice President of Human Resources and the backing of the board of directors. The evidence that the program was working was so strong--high enrollment plus community visibility for Tree Top--that the company fully supported the program after the grant.