A.J. Antunes equips workers with language skills

A.J. Antunes & Co. is an industry leader in foodservice equipment, water-filtration systems, and original equipment manufacturer of electronic controls and switches. The company’s employees are as diverse as its product lines. A Secretary of State Workplace Skills Enhancement grant is helping to increase the language skills of employees from India, Burma, Vietnam, Mexico, El Salvador and Ukraine.

The company has partnered with the University of Illinois Business Innovation Services to provide ESL classes to employees during work hours. The instructor, Laurel Wade, uses one of their recent vocabulary words to describe the employees at A.J. Antunes: “They are such a conscientious group of employees. They are very eager to learn and to improve their performance.” Increasing the written and oral communication skills of its employees will help the company maintain its goal of effective communications to maintain quality standards, while also providing employees opportunities for career advancement. Loyalty runs deep at this family-owned company. Many employees have years of service here and the company has hired many family members of its dedicated workforce. A.J. Antunes has made an investment in ESL classes since 1996. This year’s Workplace Skills Enhancement grant has provided the needed resources for the company and its commitment to continuous improvement. 
 
Benefits to Employers Participating in Workplace programs

 
•               Employees are better able to communicate and contribute              
• Employees have a better understanding of manufacturing practices
• Improved morale
• Greater interest in additional training
• Increased company profitability
• Enhanced corporate image
• Reduced error rate
• Improved capacity of employees to solve problems
• Higher success rate in promoting and transferring employees from within
• Lower accident rates

View the full publication of Illinois Literacy here.