Identifying and Implementing Effective Training for Hispanic Craft Workers, American Supervisors, and DOT Inspectors: Phase III of the Hispanic Workforce Research Project

The number of Hispanic workers in the U.S. construction industry has been steadily increasing, and language and cultural barriers have sometimes arisen on the jobsite. Due in part to these barriers, the number of fatalities among Hispanics at construction sites in 2001 jumped 24%, while construction fatalities overall dropped 3%. This study, which constitutes Phase III of the Hispanic Workforce Research Project, addresses these language and cultural barriers by investigating the most effective way to deliver training material developed in Phases I and II to Hispanic workers, American supervisors, and department of transportation (DOT) inspectors. The research methodology consisted of assessing the needs and interests of potential and current course participants in terms of exploring innovative ways to deliver the training. The training courses were then adapted and delivered to fit the specific needs of each audience. During Phase III of this project, the research team delivered the courses described in the Phase I and II reports to eight highway construction companies and two DOT groups. The courses developed in Phases I and II consist of four construction-focused language training courses that can be part of an effective training program to facilitate integration among U.S. and Hispanic workers, increase productivity and motivation at the jobsite, and decrease the existing high mortality rate for Hispanic workers. Moreover, the research team developed a course for the construction season called Toolbox Integration Course for Hispanic workers and American supervisors (TICHA), which consists of nine 45-minute modules delivered to one construction company over 11 weeks in the summer of 2005.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.ctre.iastate.edu/reports/hispanic_workforce3.pdf
• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/39492
• Corporate Authors:

  Iowa State University, Ames

  Center for Transportation Research and Education
  2711 South Loop Drive, Suite 4700
  Ames, IA  United States  50010-8664

  Iowa Department of Transportation

  800 Lincoln Way
  Ames, IA  United States  50010
• Authors:
  • Aveiga-Alcivar, Fernando
  • Jaselskis, Edward J
  • Canales, Augusto
  • Cackler, E Thomas
  • Jahren, Charles T
• Publication Date: 2006-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 136p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Construction and maintenance personnel; Construction industry; Construction safety; Construction sites; Fatalities; Hispanics; Labor productivity; Road construction workers; Safety; Training; Workforce
• Identifier Terms: Toolbox Integration Course for Hispanic Workers and American Supervisors (TICHA)
• Uncontrolled Terms: American supervisors; Cultural barriers; Language barriers
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Construction; Education and Training; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I10: Economics and Administration; I50: Construction and Supervision of Construction; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01030741
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: CTRE Project 05-132
• Files: NTL, TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Aug 14 2006 4:22PM