Home » Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians Launches Program to Engage Immigrant Talent

Employer Practices

Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians Launches Program to Engage Immigrant Talent

January 15, 2020

On January 15, grantee partner the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians launched its Engaging Immigrant Talent Initiative at an event with the Mayor of Philadelphia. The 18-month program, in partnership with Philadelphia’s Office of Workforce Development, aims to advance employer-informed immigrant workforce integration. With support from the WES Mariam Assefa Fund, the initiative will encourage employers to hire immigrant talent in Philadelphia and develop a citywide immigrant workforce strategy.

“City government has a critical role to play in improving equitable outcomes for all our residents,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “Increasing opportunities for Philadelphia’s extraordinary and diverse immigrant population is key to realizing the goals outlined in our citywide workforce development and inclusive growth strategies.”

The City Hall launch event featured a graduate of the Welcoming Center program, Berna Altok, the Welcoming Center’s Deputy Director Nicole Pumphrey, WES Board Member Sidney Hargro, and the Fund’s Senior Director Monica Munn.

Read press coverage from AL DÍA News to read more on the launch of this exciting cross-sector program, and Berna Altok’s story.

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