Potential Bus Drivers Take "Transit English"
The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA)in Los Angeles is trying to save $5 million in overtime pay by hiring over 100 new bus drivers, according to an NBC News story. But there's only one problem. Many of these potential drivers are immigrants are qualified in every way except they have difficulty reading the MTA's training manual.
Using the MTA manual as their guide the staff from the Literacy Network of Greater Los Angeles is preparing a course to help these would-be bus drivers with their English skills. Classes will be held at Valley College.
The MTA course at Valley College is a work in progress, said Douglas Marriott, outreach director for the Literacy Network of Greater Los Angeles, whose staff is preparing the curriculum and teaching the course.
To encourage transit employees to help recruit new drivers, Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa wants the workers to receive up to $300 for each bus driver they recruit, with a limit of two.
What do you think about a program like this? Should companies and governmental agencies offer English and reading skills help to enable employees get prepared for their jobs?
posted by Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D. @ 8:59 PM
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