Portland, ME: Championing a Vibrant, Inclusive State Workforce with SIIP

Grappling with an aging population and acute labor shortages, the Portland Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) joined the Skilled Immigrant Integration Program (SIIP) in 2018 with the goal of bolstering the local workforce through immigrant and refugee economic inclusion.  

For years, business leaders in Portland and throughout Maine had been sounding the alarm on a pending critical workforce shortage. With the highest median age in the nation at 45 years old, a low birth rate, and a small population, the state’s shortage was driven primarily by demographics. At the same time, Portland is Maine’s most populous city, and its growing immigrant population was well-positioned to help fill this gap. Immigrants arriving in Portland – including refugees and asylees – skewed younger than their US-born counterparts, and many had education, training, and experience earned in other countries. According to Portland OEO data from their 2018 SIIP application, the average age of recent immigrants arriving in Portland at that time was 27. A full 52% had at least a bachelor’s degree, compared to 28% of their native-born counterparts.  

Local workforce leaders were eager to connect with this largely untapped pool of workers. As a first step, Portland applied and was selected to be a 2018 Gateways for Growth community. With that support from the American Immigration Council and Welcoming America, the city created a comprehensive plan to champion immigrant inclusion. That plan laid the foundation for Portland partners – the OEO, along with the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation – to join SIIP and work together to increase accessibility to employment for immigrants and refugees commensurate with their international education.  

Advancing Policies, Programs, and Partnerships  

During Portland’s SIIP year, the first order of business was to address the professional licensing barriers that keep many internationally trained immigrants and refugees from entering regulated professions in Maine. With support from SIIP, OEO joined a working group focused on licensure and certification, led by Commissioner Anne Head of Maine’s Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. The group produced a report outlining recommendations for how the state’s regulatory bodies could facilitate the licensure of internationally trained professionals. Following the report, the state legislature passed a bill granting the Commissioner discretionary authority to waive costs and certain documentation requirements associated with licensure and certification.   

The OEO praised the new law as “a huge baby step,” setting the stage for additional reform. local stakeholders have helped drive multiple bills focused on immigrant recruitment, retention, and employment. Passing the state legislature in 2021, these new laws positioned Maine as a national leader in developing more inclusive workforce policies. “It’s been a game-changer to connect our Commissioner to SIIP,” said a Portland cohort member. “For her to be connected with efforts at the national level has helped us move the needle tremendously in Maine. I don’t think the bills [on licensure and certification] would have been possible without it.” 

Building on legislative momentum, the OEO has also launched Portland Professional Connections, a mentoring program that helps newcomers to the U.S. build their professional networks. Established as part of Portland’s participation in SIIP, the program has engaged over 100 connectees and connectors, making it a model for communities across the country – in fact, fellow SIIP participants in Buffalo, NY launched a similar program modeled on Portland Professional Connections in 2022. ​​ 

Participation in SIIP also helped Portland grow its capacity to connect local employers with immigrant talent. Following the conclusion of its cohort year, the OEO held forums to help employers understand the potential of internationally trained workers, and formed an employer advisory board that laid the groundwork for a dedicated employer hub. “The Hub was born out of SIIP in Toronto,” said a participant in the Portland SIIP cohort. “There was a model they presented from Canada and we brought it to the [local] Chamber and they said, ‘that’s the kind of thing we’d like to see here.’”  

Looking Ahead in Portland 

The OEO has since expanded its Professional Connectors program, hosting virtual workshops on topics such as online interviewing, professional etiquette, and credentialing and accreditation.  

The Office has also continued the momentum from its SIIP year by deepening its partnership with the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation and forming focus groups to inform future licensing and certification reforms. In addition, the OEO developed a pilot project with the University of Southern Maine to help immigrants and refugees access career-aligned English courses and short-term certifications to support future career goals.  

With support from SIIP, Portland has emerged as a leader in immigrant inclusion across Maine and the United States. Learn how your community can participate in a future SIIP cohort.