Training Fund Kicks Off Exciting New Program at Georgetown

September 30, 2015

Union members at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC have a unique opportunity to freshen up core competencies, learn new skills…and earn substantial pay raises of up to 5 percent!Food and Nutrition is the first department in the hospital to develop and implement a new Career Ladder program: a four-tier career enrichment course series created by a joint committee of 1199SEIU union members and staff; the Training and Upgrading Fund; Georgetown University Hospital management; and Morrison Healthcare. The goal of the program is to improve patient satisfaction and HCAHPS scores by helping catering associates cultivate skills such as communication, handling difficult situations, and critical thinking.Nearly a hundred hospital workers attended a February kickoff event to learn about the program, which is metaphorically structured as a “house”, with “foundation” and “first floor” courses required for all workers and management, followed by “second floor” and “top of the house” courses that workers can complete to earn their pay raises. Incentives and bonuses along the way encourage participation and completion of the program.31-year Georgetown veteran and 1199 delegate Jennifer Bangura was among the union members who attended the kickoff event. “This is a good start to get us where we should be, especially if everyone participates,” she said. “More people came out to the kickoff than I expected. I’m excited to see how this rolls out.”- See more at: http://www.1199seiu.org/training_upgrading_fund_kickoff_exciting_new_program_at_georgetown#sthash.awttuw2W.dpuf