University of Georgia

In landscape and related businesses, Hispanic workers often know
very little English while their employers speak little or no
Spanish. Training the workers can be, at best, awkward. A
workshop May 14-15 in Atlanta, though, offers hope for speedy
improvement.

The Hispanic Green Industry Workers Workshop, at the Embassy
Suites Hotel on Crown Pointe Parkway, will provide key
information in Spanish and English for workers and employers.

The first day, which starts with 8 a.m. registration, has two
tracks that will merge in the final hour for a group discussion.

During the day, English-language sessions for employers cover
immigration laws; recruiting, training and retaining Hispanic
workers; health and safety challenges; and learning about the
Hispanic culture.

Sessions in Spanish cover safely handling and applying
pesticides, basic arboriculture, learning about the Anglo
culture, working in the United States, and safety and health
rights as an employee.

The second day will offer three and a half hours of field
demonstrations on pruning, safety, knots, tree climbing, aerial
rescue and equipment.

The fee for the workshop is $35 in advance or $45 at the
workshop. Send checks payable to Big Trees Forest Preserve to
Rose Lewis, Extension Service, North Fulton Government Annex,
7741 Roswell Rd., Room 202, Atlanta, GA 30350.

To learn more, call Iris Magaly Zayas at (404) 347-1650. Or
e-mail her at izayas@fs.fed.us.