Facts & FAQs

WHEEL Facts & FAQs

Participation in the WHEEL program gives your business an opportunity to improve your bottom line, as well as giving your employees an opportunity to engage more fully in our community.

The Santa Rosa Metro Chamber will customize a plan that will make the program work for your business.

Facts

Employees average a 15% gain in life skills and reading assessment during their first 8-week session of English classes.

Employees that participated in eight 8-week sessions increased their basic English skills 88.9%.

Students were asked where they have applied what they learned during English classes:

  • Home: 25%
  • Work: 21%
  • Helping sons & daughters with homework: 8%
  • Communicating with others outside work: 40%
  • Other: 6%

Benefits to employers include:

  • Improved employee morale
  • Less turnover
  • Higher attendance
  • Easier to institute change
  • Improved safety
  • Happier employees

FAQ's

How much time will this take to put together?

Santa Rosa Metro Chamber staff will work to coordinate the effort with you. While you communicate to your employees the "whats" and "whens," the Chamber will coordinate everything else.

Do I have to be a Chamber member?

No. The Santa Rosa Metro Chamber believes that workforce development is vital to our success as a community. The program is available to both Chamber and non-Chamber members.

Can I partner with another business?

Yes. We welcome partnering with another business who is in the same industry or a neighboring building. This is especially helpful for businesses with fewer employees, but still want to participate in the program.

How much does it cost?

Due to generous support from our sponsors, we are able to provide coordination of all elements of the program, except the English classes, at no cost. English classes are between $2,000 and $2,500 for 32 hours of instruction (including assessment, teacher curriculum prep and graduation ceremony).

For More Information:

Contact Ananda Sweet at 707-636-3662.

Special Thanks to:

First 5 Sonoma County for providing funding for the WHEEL Plus elements of this program.