Welcoming Communities in Action
Discover how cities, states, provinces, and campuses are working to ensure that newcomers can fully contribute to resilient futures.
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How WES Canada Supports Immigrant Youth in Building Their Careers
The socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have created a unique climate for youth navigating the Canadian labour market. These impacts have also shed light on long-standing trends wherein high rates of educational success may not translate to commensurate employment outcomes for emerging talent; including immigrant youth. To better understand why this breakdown occurs, and […]
Spotlight on Salem: A Small Community College ESOL Program Leaving a Lasting Impact
Stefanie Vasquez |
When WES Global Talent Bridge program manager, Mikaela Santos, visited Chemeketa Community College in November 2022, she sat down with several internationally trained immigrants and refugees who had just completed a career assistance program, Empowering Professional Immigrant Careers (EPIC), at the college’s English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) department. EPIC previously received technical assistance through the […]
The WES Economic Inclusion Forum: Building a Future for Immigrants and Refugees in the U.S.
Kelly Acheson |
“Investing in immigrant and refugee inclusion is investing in the future of America.” —Eva Millona, Assistant Secretary for Partnership and Engagement at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Eva Millona, a panelist at the World Education Services (WES) Economic Inclusion Forum, captured the prevailing sentiment at this gathering of nationwide partners, immigrant and […]
Will Just-in-Time Immigration Policy Changes Meet Canada’s Needs?
Guliz Akkaymak |
In 2022, the job vacancy rate surged to a new record – one million jobs went unfilled. Meanwhile our population continues to age, and the workforce is shrinking. Labour and skills shortages are growing more acute in every sector. Policymakers are looking to increase immigration intake levels alongside streamlined measures to get more newcomers into […]
New Massachusetts Report Promotes Inclusion of Internationally Trained Health Workers
Natalie Torres |
Born in Panama and educated in Brazil, Elisa Tristan-Cheever was the youngest graduate in her medical school class of 1989 and one of the first female hospital residents specializing in urology in Brazil. Over 11 years as a practicing surgeon in Brazil, she served patients in remote clinics and large hospitals. Fluent in three languages, […]
SIIP Convening 2022: Strengthening Partnerships and Programs
Kelly Acheson |
In late October, a diverse group of organizations working on behalf of internationally trained immigrants and refugees gathered in Washington, D.C. at the fifth annual Skilled Immigrant Integration Program (SIIP) convening. The convening was attended by nearly 100 participants representing 33 out of 40 total SIIP communities—including SIIP alumni and members of the current 2022-2023 […]
Historic Bipartisan Legislation Poised to Advance Workforce Inclusion
Fatima Sanz |
[An earlier version of this blogpost was published on October 10, 2022.] When Lubab Al-Quarishi was forced to flee Baghdad with her family in 2014, she had been a practicing, licensed pathologist for 18 years in Iraq. Since her resettlement in the United States, Lubab has worked in food service and as a pharmacy technician. […]
How Nevada Is Opening Career Pathways for Internationally Trained Immigrants and Refugees
Mikaela Santos |
Grecia Perez-Rodriguez understands firsthand the challenges faced by more than two million college-educated immigrants and refugees who are unemployed or underemployed in the United States, sixty percent of whom hold credentials earned in another country. Perez-Rodriguez’s law degree—earned at a top Mexican university—and experience practicing immigration law in Guadalajara were not recognized by occupational licensing […]
Policy Roundup: State Efforts to Advance the Economic Inclusion of Immigrants and Refugees
Natalie Torres |
The United States currently faces deepening labor shortages in critical sectors including health care and education. At the same time, internationally trained immigrants and refugees have education, credentials, and experience that could help meet immediate workforce needs and bolster the nation’s long-term economic vitality. An estimated two million college-educated immigrants and refugees are unemployed or […]
How an Adult Education Coalition is Advancing a More Inclusive Workforce
Hillary Gardner |
Efforts to create a vibrant, responsive Adult Basic Education (ABE) system can advance racial equity and economic mobility both inside and outside the classroom: Over the past two decades, 78 percent of adult education students self-identified as people of color, according to the National Association of State Directors of Adult Education. In 2019, 23 percent […]
New Maryland Legislation Promises Reform for Health Care Workforce
Jacki Esposito |
Over the past several decades, staffing shortfalls have imposed dramatic negative effects on Maryland’s health care system, including increased hospital readmission and higher mortality rates among patients. But new legislation in Maryland may offer some hope. States Face Critical Health Care Shortages Statistics confirm Maryland’s current health care shortages: In 2020, the state had only […]
Advancing Efforts to Create a More Inclusive Workforce Through Mentoring
Isabel Schroeder |
The Global Talent Leadership Network (GTLN) of WES Global Talent Bridge is teaming up with JVS Toronto to connect internationally trained immigrants and refugees with mentors who share the same occupation. In communities across the United States, the GTLN Group Mentoring Program will build on a proven model that leverages the networking power of immigrant- […]