The U.S. labor market is growing at a rapid rate and the effective inclusion of Spanish-speaking employees presents both a challenge and a strategic prospect for businesses.
At the helm of this forefront is Carla Virginia Marquez de Bertucci, an accomplished human resources professional from Venezuela, who is representing over 15 years of HR expertise to pioneer a standardized, technology-supported Spanish-language onboarding model. She aims to dismantle language barriers, promote compliance, and maintain significant workforce stability.
Carla’s extensive background in strategic human resource management, particularly focused on workforce integration and compliance for Spanish-speaking employees, positions her to tackle this complex issue. Her journey, marked by experience and a deep understanding of human capital dynamics, began in Venezuela during an era of economic prosperity. Starting her career in banking, she began a robust foundation in operational processes and regulatory compliance, skills that would later prove invaluable in her HR career.
Her transition into human resources at Coca Cola FEMSA saw her successfully apply her academic knowledge, developing practical solutions for employee management. However, personal circumstances reshaped her professional trajectory in 2009 when she prioritized family over immediate career advancement due to her husband’s job transfer. However, she remained actively engaged in the HR field, continually refining her expertise.
A landmark trip to the United States in 2019, initially seen as a temporary leave, evolved into a permanent residency due to the worsening conditions in her homeland. Committed to rebuilding her career in a new country, Carla began intensive English language studies at Florida National University in 2021, demonstrating her unwavering dedication to adapting and thriving.
Since July 2023, Carla has been working as an Administrative Assistant at a renowned consulting firm based in Miami, Florida. Her professional status has already been recognized, leading to an offer for a Human Resources Specialist position, based upon the approval of her EB-2 National Interest Waiver. This role will undoubtedly provide a significant impact for her groundbreaking initiative.
Carla’s proposed blueprint centers on creating a standardized Spanish-language onboarding model designed specifically to assist Hispanic workers integrating into the U.S. labor market. This model is outlined by a well read technological framework, ensuring accessibility and effectiveness.
“Our model is primarily supported by Learning Management Systems (LMS) platforms,” Carla explains. “These platforms offer interactive modules available in both English and Spanish, providing short subtitled videos, comprehensive assessment tools, and automated feedback mechanisms. To ensure maximum accessibility and engagement, we also integrate QR codes and mobile-accessible materials, allowing new hires to access critical information from practically anywhere.”
The development of this model was highly data-driven and empathetic. “The decision to pursue this integration model was rooted from a thorough gap analysis of existing onboarding processes within companies that have high rates of Hispanic hiring,” Carla explains. “I researched real-life case studies, engaging directly with employees who had been negatively impacted by a lack of understanding of their employment contracts and workplace policies. The model was then carefully reviewed by both legal and educational experts to ensure its clarity, compliance, and overall efficiency.”
Carla identifies the trivial challenges faced by Hispanic workers in the U.S. labor market, which her model directly addresses. “They frequently encounter significant language barriers, a lack of comprehensive knowledge regarding their fundamental labor rights, an evasive fear of retaliation when attempting to adapt to fair conditions, and often, limited access to professional training and development opportunities,” she states. “This model is conceived as a solid tool for equity—designed to reduce these inherent gaps from day one by delivering information that is clear, accessible, and usable.”
While the standardized onboarding model began as a personal endeavor sparked by direct observation of the difficulties faced by Spanish-speaking workers, Carla acknowledges that her current professional experience has profoundly improved its development. “Being immersed in an organizational environment that genuinely values inclusive communication, diversity, and social impact has allowed me to enhance the model’s design with a more strategic, practical, and results-driven perspective,” she explains. “This experience has been essential for understanding firsthand the real dynamics of the onboarding process and for tailoring the proposal to the specific needs of both companies and employees. As a result, I have been able to develop more effective, accessible tools that are aligned with the challenges new hires face during their critical first days on the job.”
Carla Virginia Marquez de Bertucci’s journey is a powerful testament to her unwavering commitment and profound dedication to improving labor conditions for Hispanic workers. Through her pioneering, technology-driven initiative, she is not just merely implementing administrative processes; she is actively advocating for greater equality and inclusion, ensuring that the U.S. workforce truly reflects the diversity of its multicultural tapestry.
