Have A Field Day

Using the H2B visa program has its advantages, but one disadvantage is that the employees might not be familiar with common landscaping equipment. This unfamiliarity can cause productivity problems and can adversely affect quality.

To combat this problem, Allan Davis, vice president, explained that the company holds a one-day training event, which they call "field training day." About 60, primarily Mexican employees are brought together prior to the grass-cutting season and are introduced to each other and walked through the orientation process, which includes filling out paperwork and watching training videos in Spanish and English. The employees are then given all the safety equipment they will need over the course of the season, such as goggles, gloves, ear protection, etc. and are then taken around to stations manned by foremen where they can learn how to operate different pieces of equipment.

"The field training is for our mowing maintenance crews so they learn how to use walk-behind and riding tractors, line trimmers, stick edgers and blowers," Davis explained.

At the end of the day, which usually lasts about 10 hours, all the employees are expected to be familiar with their co-workers and the operation of all of the equipment. Even returning employees participate in this training as a refresher or to help newer employees learn the equipment.

"This is a way for them to get fired up about the upcoming season," Davis enthused. - Cheryl Green