In Spring 2019, a pilot was launched at Chobani’s manufacturing facility in New Berlin (Chenango County) featuring Voxy's online English learning platform. (Read more about this pilot here)
This pilot and its results thus far were presented by WDI, Chobani, and Voxy as part of the Close It Summit held in October in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Fifteen (15) refugee employees are participating in a multi-month program (still ongoing at this time), an ESL Apprenticeship designed to improve English language literacy on the production floor. By the mid-way point of the pilot, eight (8) participants had measurably improved their level of English, were engaging in group classes, and utilizing the platform on an average of four (4) hours per month. Successful graduates of the program will receive a small salary increase with the potential for career ladder advancement.
The Close It Summit 2019 (Critical Shift\ Work. Learn. Tech.) is an annual conference featuring innovations in hiring, training, and career pathways. Chobani was a recipient of one of the Summit's SHIFT Awards, designed to recognize employers who are shifting from traditional hiring, assessment, and training methods to create new paths to employment and economic opportunities.
Stay tuned for updates on the pilot in the near future. We are hopeful Voxy will become a well-used resource in the toolbelt of workforce development professionals in terms of offering a convenient option for ESL learners.
