Workplace English Benchmarking Projects uses BULATS to establish a set of guidelines that explains English proficiency requirements in different positions within a company, and provides professional training suggestions for each position. From the experience we have gained in some South East Asian countries or in other non-English speaking countries, identifying the workplace English benchmarks is the most vital step to improve the English proficiency of employees who are engaged in business. The aim of such a benchmark is to clarify the compulsory English proficiency levels that employees in different occupations should achieve. Once a benchmark is established, companies and institutions can use these systems as a reference in recruitment and training, and candidates and employees can have a clear and objective view of the English language requirement of the employers. They can therefore set the benchmarks as goals of self-improvement, and boost their career development.

The objective of this project is to introduce “English benchmarking”, as a value-adding concept into China, and enable companies and institutions to systemise their human resources management, through establishing language benchmarking systems and promoting internationally accepted standards and workplace English tests in China.

The companies can use the benchmark systems generated through the project as a reference of the English proficiency requirements in certain positions, in order to recruit candidates with enough language competence, or improve the language proficiency of current employees so that they can meet the language requirements.

• Hong Kong Government:
  - Establishing a benchmarking system to promote English in the society
  - Maintaining Hong Kong’s position as an international business centre
• Russian Government:
  - Boosting communications between business managers
• Italian Government:
  - Helping 60,000 unemployed people find a job again
• Corporate Users:
  -Airbus  (Europe)
  -Towngas (Hong Kong)
  -S.W.I.F.T. (Hong Kong)

The Workplace English benchmarks allow companies to use and develop guidelines to identify the levels of language skills necessary for particular job types or for particular purposes so that they can recruit talents that are up to the English level required, and better monitor and evaluate their internal English training programs

A Look at Other Benefits and  Stories of Success in Adopting Workplace English Benchmarking

Free Research Reports
Companies in this project can receive a complete report regarding the English proficiency requirements of different industry sectors and different positions. e.g. the benchmark of a marketing professional in the IT industry.

In-depth Consulting
If necessary and possible, the Culture and Education Section of the British Embassy/Consulates-General and China BULATS Agents Network would establish sets of well-rounded workplace English benchmarks for the companies engaged in this project, and cover more positions.

English Training Analysis
Based on the benchmarks generated, the Culture and Education Section of the British Embassy/Consulates-General and the China BULATS Agents Network can provide analysis and suggestions on corporate English training.