LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Butchertown company and one of Kentucky's largest community colleges are partnering up to offer a new opportunity. It's still in the early stages but it's already changing the lives of Louisville natives, and those who just immigrated to the city.
Meat processing plant, JBS, started a partnership with Jefferson Community & Technical College to offer free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes on the business' campus.
For Cuba native and employee Niurka Munoz this is a life changing opportunity as she grew up speaking Spanish first.
She spoke with WHAS11 a bit in English, but mostly had to speak in Spanish to get her story out.
"I arrived to the United States eight year's ago," Munoz said. "I came with my husband for a better future for my family. I check the pre-operations (for the plant) before the production."
Munoz said she never saw this opportunity coming her way and that it's helps builds her family's American dream become a reality.
"It is hard because English is not (my) first language," Munoz said. "But I want to keep trying because speaking English is going to give, give me more opportunities."
JCTC's Workforce Solutions and "JBS Better Futures" program are offering the free classes to every employee who's been with the company for over six months. Employees who are not immigrants can also take advantage of this opportunity.
Human Resources Director Cathy Heredia said employees could go on to complete an entire community college degree.
"They made these classes specifically for us and I'm not talking only ESL," Heredia said. "They'll have leadership classes, we also have maintenance classes so it's been really good to work with Jefferson."
Heredia has noticed that a major barrier for candidates seeking a job at JBS was language, so she reached out to JCTC to see how they can both find solution that would benefit employees.
"It's been such a big success in the company," Heredia said. "We actually have two people who took these classes and are now supervisor within the company. Niurka is a great employee and has a hunger for growth. We're very excited on the management team to see her grow and continue her education outside the facility."
Classes started at the plant during the summer of 2023.
ESL instructor and workforce manager Elise Woods is monitoring Munoz' progress.
"I have so much pride in her," Woods said. "She's so dedicated, she's such a hard worker. It's been tremendous to see her grow in her confidence in her language skills."
Woods has also noticed how diverse her class is becoming.
"Initially it did start out with a large Cuban population but it's grown and it's included African and Asian populations as well," Woods said. "So it's really exciting."
Human resources has taken notice as well. Heredia said the first round of ESL classes mainly consisted of employees of Cuban decent. As they reach their year mark since starting the program, Heredia said more immigrants from Africa, Haiti and Rwanda also want to take classes as well.
"We employ about 1,200 employees and about 40% I can comfortably say that they come from the Cuban community," Heredia said. "We have a lot of representation in management as well."
Munoz said this opportunity is very important to her and her colleagues.
"It benefits us an employees," Munoz said. "I came here for a better future for myself. My barrier is English so it's helped me grow and develop."
If companies are interested in creating their own partnership with JCTC's Workforce Solutions team you can send an email by clicking here.
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