Report: Industry-Specific Language Learning Offers Workplace Benefits for Adult English Learners

Supporting adult English learners with industry-specific language-learning tools provides significant benefits to workforce development and retention, according to a 2026 study conducted by EnGen.

Among surveyed workers who had participated in an EnGen English language learning program:

• 91% of learners improved job skills
• 88% of learners improved technical skills
• 94% of learners saved time at work
• 78% of learners communicate better with coworkers
• 85% of learners are more likely to stay with their employer

In the construction industry, roughly 30% of workers come from an immigrant background. Many natively speak Spanish or a different primary language. Language barriers can create challenges on a construction jobsite, potentially impacting safety, productivity and collaboration. In addition, non-native English speakers may face extra obstacles in career mobility, limiting their ability to earn promotion into field leadership postions regardless of their craft skill proficiency.

NCCER and EnGen have partnered to offer English Skills for Construction Foremen, a language upskilling course for adult English learners in the construction industry. The course, available as either a 3- or 6-month program, uses relevant construction-specific terminology and examples to help teach English vocabulary and grammar. The course is designed for new or aspiring construction foremen, helping them to thrive in their new role or to earn promotion. The course can be taken as a standalone option or as a precursor to NCCER’s Construction Foreman Certification Program.

To learn more about English Skills for Construction Foremen, contact NCCER’s Solutions team.

For more insights from the EnGen report, click here or read the report PDF below.