Summary: Spanish skills in the workplace are more coveted than ever before. Employees working to add soft skills to their resumes should seriously consider learning Spanish. Listing Spanish skills elevates a candidate’s resume above the competition.
Online certification training covers both hard and soft skills. Hard skills are skills specific to particular types of jobs, while soft skills apply across nearly every industry. Today, one of the most desirable soft skills is speaking Spanish. If you are looking to elevate your resume above all the rest, consider investing some time and effort into learning Spanish.
Learning Spanish could dramatically improve your employability, especially in a modern job market that is highly competitive and increasingly globalized. Employers are more frequently looking for candidates with bilingual skills in order to serve diverse communities. And because of the demographics currently observed in the U.S., Spanish is one of the most desirable languages for a bilingual worker to learn.
Second Most Common Language
It is no accident that employers are looking for bilingual workers with the ability to communicate in Spanish. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language in this country with nearly 42 million speakers. That is a considerable number given the fact that 68 million in total speak a language other than English.
As you might expect, the demand for Spanish-speaking employees is growing across the country. Certain sectors are seeing more growth than others. They include healthcare, education, finance, tourism, customer service, and international business.
Also consider this fact: 75% of U.S. Latinos speak Spanish to some extent. They can at least carry on a conversation in Spanish. In addition, 85% believe it is important for future generations of Latinos in this country to be able to speak the language.
How Learning Spanish Impacts Employability
Given that Spanish is the second most spoken language in the country, there is a good chance that certain employers will prefer bilingual job candidates over those who only speak English. The simple fact is that Spanish skills impact a candidate’s employability. Consider the following:
- Direct Communication – Companies value employees who can directly communicate with Spanish-speaking customers or clients. Being able to speak directly, which is to say without an interpreter, builds trust and strong relationships that are valuable to company growth.
- The Spanish Workforce – In addition to being able to communicate with customers and clients, employers want job candidates who can effectively communicate with a Spanish workforce that has seen significant growth in recent years.
The simple truth is that American employers prioritize bilingual professionals for all sorts of roles. Therefore, Spanish is considered a soft skill that is transferable to nearly any industry.
How Learning Spanish Increases Your Value
Being able to speak Spanish makes you more valuable to your employer because you are able to communicate to a wider audience. A single bilingual employee has more value than two employees who only speak one language each. It’s simple math and economics. And it translates into tangible benefits for you:
- Higher Pay – Bilingual employees with Spanish skills tend to earn more. They can earn up to 20% more in some sectors. They also see more opportunities for advancement.
- International Opportunities – Companies looking to expand or with operations already established in Spanish-speaking countries tend to offer more international opportunities to their bilingual employees. Perhaps you’d like to work in Spain or South America. Spanish skills could make it possible.
Spanish skills demonstrate your willingness to adapt. They show employers that you are willing to learn and have the discipline to do so. HR managers and executives respond positively to that sort of thing. They also reward employees who demonstrate these key characteristics.
Spanish Skills Are More Than Just a Language
Thus far, Spanish skills have been discussed exclusively from the standpoint of communicating via language. But there is more to it than just the spoken word. There are other things about Spanish skills employers have come to appreciate.
For example, gaining some cultural knowledge goes hand-in-hand with learning Spanish. The resulting cross-cultural sensitivity you gain by learning a foreign language could make you more effective in a global role. How so?
Communications among employees and clients in different parts of the world can be challenging, and not just because of the language barrier. There is also a cultural barrier. That barrier exists because people in different parts of the world do things in different ways.
While learning Spanish, you will probably pick up on much of the culture behind the language. You would face less of a cultural barrier communicating with Spanish-speaking clients or employees overseas.
Spanish Training: Key Things to Consider
ProTrain offers a selection of Spanish for the workplace online courses designed to help you gain new Spanish skills or improve those you already possess. Feel free to take a look at our course catalog at your leisure. In the meantime, there are some key things to consider about training:
- Fluency – You don’t necessarily need to be fluent to start reaping the benefits that come with Spanish skills. Even intermediate skills can make you more employable and open opportunities that are otherwise closed.
- Time and Practice – Although there are exceptions to the rule, you will not become fluent overnight. It takes time to learn a new language. In addition, you will need practice to solidify what you learn in a ProTrain certification course.
- Employer Incentives – Some employers offer incentives hoping to encourage their workers to learn Spanish. Check with your HR department. Learning Spanish skills could mean an increase in pay. Your company might even be willing to cover the cost.
- Future-Proofing – Even if your current employment doesn’t require Spanish skills, taking advantage of training could future-proof your employment. Spanish skills might be enough to keep you around when other employees are being let go.
The soft skills we teach at ProTrain help our students further advance their careers. If you are looking for a soft skill that is in high demand and could potentially open new doors of opportunity, consider learning Spanish.
If you have questions about our Spanish courses, send a message to info@protrain.edu. When you are ready to enroll, contact us at enroll@protrain.edu and we will get you started right away.
FAQs
Do I have to go to night school to learn Spanish?
No. With ProTrain’s online learning model, you can complete a self-paced course whenever it fits into your schedule. Whether it is nights, weekends, or during your lunch breaks at work, you control the schedule.
What types of Spanish courses do you offer?
We offer Spanish courses applicable to multiple industries, including education, social services, food service, constuction, healthcare, and more.
How long does it take to complete a course?
Our Spanish courses are certificate courses with an average of 16 hours of coursework. You complete the coursework online whenever it is convenient for you. You will have 6 months from the date of your enrollment to access the work.
Can I get help with my coursework?
Most of our Spanish courses are mentor-supported. That means you will have access to a mentor who can answer your questions, offer sound guidance, and provide encouragement.
