Tag: Occupational Licensing

How States Are Opening Their Own Pathways to Occupational Licensure 

In the United States, key regulated industries like education, engineering, and health care face significant labor shortages that are predicted to deepen in the coming years. Experts in the health care area alone project a shortfall of over 900,000 nurses by 2030 and up to 86,000 physicians by 2036 as the country’s population ages and […]

How a New York Bill Would Allow Internationally Trained Physicians to Practice

In 2009, Dr. Islam moved to New York City from Bangladesh. Straightaway, he was struck by the lack of opportunities to work in medicine or in a health care role that made use of his skills and experience. Despite graduating from one of the top medical schools in Bangladesh and working there as a physician, he became […]

How Two Immigrant-Led Organizations Are Harnessing an Opportunity to Create a More Inclusive Health Care Workforce

  The United States faces growing health care workforce shortages, which are only expected to increase in the coming decade with projections estimating a national shortfall of over 900,000 nurses and up to 124,000 physicians by the year 2030. To address this issue, analysts and policymakers have begun looking to immigrants and refugees with health […]

Driving Systemic Change: New Oregon Bill Would Open Pathway to Practice for Internationally Trained Immigrants

Forced to flee Myanmar because of political persecution, Win Mar Lar Kyin eventually resettled in Oregon, leaving her family behind. Since then systemic barriers, including the lack of recognition of international credentials, have prevented Win from resuming her career as a primary care physician—despite having 12 years of experience practicing medicine in Myanmar. “With my […]

New Massachusetts Report Promotes Inclusion of Internationally Trained Health Workers

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, […]

New Virginia Law Will Foster Inclusion in Teacher Workforce

Over the past decade, more than 300,000 new students have been added to Virginia’s K-12 schools. However, during that same period, only 3,000 new employees were hired. The number of unfilled teaching positions across the commonwealth jumped 62 percent in just two years, from the school year 2018-2019 to 2020-2021. Last August, 76 of Virginia’s […]

How a Network of Immigrant & Refugee Doctors Opened Pathways to Practice in Washington State

As the IMPRINT coalition welcomes new member organizations, WES Global Talent Bridge is publishing a series of blog posts that highlight the critical work and unique perspectives of this dynamic network. Mohamed Khalif is founder of the Washington Academy for International Medical Graduates (WAIMG), a non-profit that supports the efforts of international medical graduates (IMGs) […]

Breaking Barriers for Internationally Trained Immigrants and Refugees in Regulated Professions

“Building Momentum for a New Decade,” the 2020 Immigrant Economic Integration Virtual Summit hosted by WES Global Talent Bridge, featured state and local practitioners, immigrant and refugee leaders, and policymakers committed to advancing the academic and economic mobility of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In light of critical shortages in regulated professions exacerbated […]

Growing Our IMPRINT Coalition, Deepening Our Impact

As the IMPRINT coalition expands to welcome new member organizations, WES Global Talent Bridge is featuring a series of blog posts that highlight the critical work and unique perspectives of this dynamic network. José Ramón Fernández-Peña, MD, MPA, is director of Health Professions Advising at Northwestern University and president of the American Public Health Association. […]

Policy Roundup: Tracking Efforts to Support the Economic Mobility of Immigrants and Refugees in the U.S.

Immigrants and refugees with international credentials are integral to the economic vitality of the United States, yet many are unable to contribute their skills, talents, and experience to the U.S. workforce because of systemic obstacles to employment. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the essential role of immigrant and refugee workers and emphasized the urgent need for […]

Spotlight on African Bridge Network: Helping Immigrant and Refugee Communities Realize Their Professional Potential

Massachusetts is home to some 82,000 African immigrants, many of whom are fluent in English. Overall, immigrants from Africa are one of the most highly educated immigrant groups in the United States. According to New American Economy, 40 percent of African immigrants have a college degree, attaining a higher level of education than that of […]

Spotlight on Washington State: Collaboration for Change

The Puget Sound region, located along the northwestern coast of the state of Washington, spans miles of coastline, agricultural lands, and bustling cities, offering a vast array of landscapes and attractions. Its population, too, is diverse—one in seven Washington residents is an immigrant,¹ and the region’s cities boast a broad spectrum of languages and cultures. […]