The Building Skills Partnership received an $80,000 grant to continue providing training for janitors and other building service workers by providing vocational English classes at leading Silicon Valley companies. As a result of this generous grant, the BSP will be able to provide vocational English as a Second Language training to 125 property service workers.

To read full press release click here

BSP’s closing of the digital divide through computer classes for janitors in Silicon Valley was featured on December 9, 2011 on Radio Bilingue “Noticiero Latino”.  Radio Bilingue is a network of radio stations with news, community information, and music and cultural programming in Spanish. During the broadcast, our student Roman Gonzalez describes his need learn to use computers, which he used to fear damaging as he cleaned desks as a janitor, to apply for a new job. Also, our former student and now volunteer Miguel Cadena, describes how he can now help his daughter with their homework on the computer and why he is now volunteering to teach computers to other immigrant parents.

To listen to the interview click here: Radio Bilingue Interview

Catalyst, a publication by Microsoft’s Corporate Citizenship Program, featured an article highlighting the BSP as a model workforce development and training program. “Microsoft is pleased to partner with the BSP to support their efforts in workforce training and skills development. These efforts are aligned with Microsoft’s global effort to support improvement in the quality and access to education,” said Sid Espinosa, director of citizenship, Microsoft. “With unemployment rates at alarmingly high levels, we all need to work together to arm people with the skills they need to succeed in today’s changing economy.

Link to Full Article

The California Wellness Foundation (TCWF) has awarded the BSP a grant totaling $210,000 to provide property service workers occupational and preventative general health trainings, health screenings or health fairs. In collaboration with employers, this funding will allow for the BSP to generate and implement  a leadership development model, also known as promotores/as, for health  and wellness training. The BSP is thankful to the TCWF  for its continued support in providing health and wellness training to property service workers throughout California.