On World Refugee Day, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) calls on us to “champion [the right of refugees] to seek safety, build support for their economic and social inclusion, and advocate for solutions to their plight.” We recently sat down with Chris Khoury and Cheri Chan from Voice of Refugees, a referral […]
In May of 2022, the number of people forced to flee conflict, violence, human rights violations, and persecution surpassed 100 million for the first time. Approximately 40% of these individuals are refugees. Data from the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR) shows that in 2020 around half of refugees worldwide were under the age […]
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 […]
In the fall of 2019, Canadian employers grappled with one of the tightest job markets in recent history. As a result, employers in Toronto were eager to expand their recruitment efforts and fill widening labour gaps. Leveraging a model championed by Starbucks Canada in cooperation with ACCES Employment, a collaborative hiring event was co-organized by World Education Services (WES) and ACCES Employment, and sponsored by Starbucks Canada and the Tent Partnership for […]
The Toronto Refugee Hiring Event, held in October and organized by WES and other organizations, connected nearly 150 pre-screened refugee jobseekers with 15 Canadian employers. The event provided jobseekers an opportunity to interview for available roles well-suited to their skills and experience. Participating employers represented a range of different industries, offering a variety of roles […]
“Building a More Welcoming US” panelists, joined by State Representative Sara Innamorato (right), and Betty Cruz, All for All project director (left). Photos by Dan Lampmann. The WES Global Talent Bridge Skilled Immigrant Integration Program (SIIP), now wrapping up its second year and planning for its third, involves training and support for communities working […]
Since late 2015, a group of committed local stakeholders known as the Refugee Jobs Agenda Roundtable has been meeting with a goal to increase refugees’ access to employment opportunities that utilize the talent and skills they bring to the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). Under the leadership of Senator Ratna Omidvar, and her new […]
Metalsmith Oleksii Porokh and his wife Anna Nefodova Riverside Language Program, the only free, full-time English language intensive course in New York City, is currently celebrating its 40th year of operation under the new leadership of Berta Colón. Riverside’s free six-week English courses are offered in a variety of levels, held six hours a […]
The Future of Work – for those in human resources, employment, or academic services, this is a phrase that is becoming increasingly familiar. Shaped by factors such as technological advances, ageing populations, and increasing global mobility, the ‘future of work’ represents a time of both challenge and opportunity. Academic institutions are tasked with staying relevant […]
Louisville Forward is Louisville, Kentucky’s innovative economic development organization. The Louisville team met Canada’s Windmill Microlending at the 2018 Skilled Immigrant Integration Program (SIIP) in Toronto. Windmill, a charitable microloan program for immigrants and refugees, was featured as a model for US organizations seeking new ways to integrate skilled immigrants. Windmill loans are offered to […]
In June WES Global Talent Bridge, its national partners, and the community cohorts in the Skilled Immigrant Integration Program (SIIP) participated in a working cross-border conference in Toronto. The delegates exchanged experiences and learned from each other and Canadian models, including mentorship programs, employer engagement, round table collaboration, and microlending. Canadian participating partners included: Cities […]
The 2019 Skilled Immigrant Integration Project convening in Toronto. Photos by Anthony Castro At a three-day conference in Toronto earlier this month, WES Global Talent Bridge and its national partners hosted representatives from all of the eight 2019 community cohorts in the Skilled Immigrant Integration Program, as well as representatives from some of the […]
