Doncasters GCE Starts ESL Training for Workers

Doncasters GCE in Chula Vista, CA, is launching an ‘English as a Second Language’ training program for its predominantly Spanish-speaking workforce. “In our pursuit to make our employees the best they can be and promote job satisfaction, it became apparent that we needed to overcome a significant language barrier,” said Edward Ridge, president of Doncasters GCE. “We want to provide our employees with the tools they need to grow both personally and professionally.” The plant — which manufactures industrial gas turbine combustor components using a range of forming, diecastings, heat treating, and fabricating operations — is situated four miles from the Mexican border. “Management is strongly committed to encouraging our employees to take full advantage of this program,” said Kevin Nolan, managing director of the Fabrications and Combustors Division. “Doncasters GCE actively pursues new ways to train and invest in our people.” The plant is working with the Chula Vista Adult School District to provide an on-site instructor to teach employees English, with emphasis on reading and writing as well as speaking. There is no cost to the workers; the city of Chula Vista and the school district have provided the instructor at no charge to the company. To date, 30 workers have enrolled in the training program, nearly 20% of the workforce according to Doncasters CGE. It says the program is the first of its kind in Southern California, and the CVASD hopes to model similar programs for other organizations. Employees will be eligible to pursue additional training in specialized areas after completing the English language course. Doncasters CGE is an operating division of the U.K.-based Doncasters Group. The California plant produces IGT liners, end caps, aft frames, flow sleeves, transition ducts, impingement structures and specialized support assemblies. Its production processes include tooling, kirksite diecasting, vacuum furnace heat treatment, acid cleaning, drop hammer metal forming, hydraulic press forming, robotic welding and plasma cutting, 5-axis CNC machining, multi-axis laser processing, real time x-ray and inspection services.