Welcoming and Integrating Refugee Professionals Welcoming America received $225,000 through competitive funding through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Grant #90RB0050. This project is financed with 100% of Federal funds. The contents of this PowerPoint are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.
Today’s Objectives • Develop a solid grounding on the problems and opportunities around untapped refugee talent - • Understand recommendations for leaders and service providers for how to tackle these challenges • Learn about new tools and resources to help address and communicate about refugee professionals
Agenda • Introduction • WES/IMPRINT • Higher • Featured Refugee Professional • Q&A
WES Global Talent Bridge Speakers Debra Means & Senay Gebremedhin WES Global Talent Bridge
About WES Global Talent Bridge Global Talent Bridge is a program of World Education Services (WES) that is dedicated to helping skilled immigrants fully utilize their talents and education in the United States and Canada. World Education Services is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping international students and professionals achieve their educational and professional goals in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1974, we evaluate and advocate for the recognition of international education qualifications. https://www.globaltalentbridge.org/
About IMPRINT IMPRINT is a national coalition of nonprofits helping underemployed skilled immigrants to start their American careers by: • Creating and disseminating resources • Advocating for policies that facilitate immigrant integration • Broadcasting best practices www.imprintproject.org
Skilled Immigrants/Immigrant Professionals: Who Are We Talking About? Immigrants/refugees/asylees with university education and/or professional experience earned abroad, seeking to work in their profession or pursue further education to qualify for a career in the United States.
Refugees and Immigrants with What is Brain Waste? Degrees from Abroad Brain waste occurs when college graduates cannot fully utilize their skills and education Employed in in the workforce despite their Nearly skill- two high professional qualification. appropriate Million jobs Un- or under- employed Unemployment and underemployment of educated professionals Migration Policy Institute, 2014
Factors Driving Brain Waste • Foreign Credential Recognition • Lack of additional U.S. Credentials • Lack of Social Capital • Limited English Proficiency
Success Factors for Reducing Brain Waste First-of-its kind study documents multiple factors that correlate with the successful integration of immigrant and refugee professionals. Key findings include : • Social capital is powerful • English really matters • Reskilling Boosts Employability
Recommendations • Fund existing public programs • Improve data collection • Connect mainstream providers & specialized services • Identify opportunities within government for immigrant professionals to acquire American experience
Untapped Talent This reports examines the underutilization of skilled refugees and immigrants and its economic impact on the US Labor market outcomes • Factors linked to skilled underutilization • Forgone earnings and taxes • Seven state case studies •
Evaluation vs. Recognition Evaluation An evaluation provides a U.S. academic equivalence to foreign credentials and provides verification of foreign education Recognition Acceptance of international academic credentials or credential evaluation by employers, regulatory bodies, academic institutions
Sample Credential Evaluation The original seemingly failing grade is actually an A when evaluated.
Selecting Evaluators No universally accepted credential evaluation service Research requirements for specific purpose: • Education • Licensing • Employment Consult www.naces.org to identify a reliable service
“Made in America” • U.S. education, even short term career pathway credentials, produce greater success. • Engage community colleges: • Community College Consortium for Immigrant Education (CCCIE). Audit short-term trainings in your area and assess • opportunities for “bridging.” Establish point of contact or navigator within • academic institutions and workforce agencies for immigrants in the community.
New Tool: Nursing E-guide Provides accurate information about careers in education, and includes tools to help immigrants explore options, and make informed decisions. Highlights Careers in Nursing, Alternative Careers in Nursing, Licensing and Certification Requirements, Provides National Program and Resources.
WES Resources Country Specific Information
Additional WES Resources WES Free Tools
Higher
Higher Resources Sign up for our Online Learning Management System
Featured Refugee Professional Mohammed Al Charakh Senior Microbiologist, Idaho Bureau of Laboratories
QUESTIONS?
Welcoming Standard
Welcoming Interactive 2018 Save the Date June 18-20, 2018 Louisville, Kentucky
Speaker Contact Information Senay Gebremedhin Debra Means-West Nicole Redford Program Manager Program Manager Program Manager WES Global Talent Bridge Higher WES Global Talent Bridge sgebreme@wes.org nredford@lirs.org dmeans@wes.org www.wes.org www.higheradvantage.org www.wes.org www.imprintproject.org www.imprintproject.org
Keep in Touch Subscribe to our YouTube Channel WelcomingAmerica.org youtube.com/WelcomingAmerica Like us on Facebook Connect with us on LinkedIn facebook.com/WelcomingAmerica linkedin.com/company/welcoming-america Follow us on Twitter @WelcomingUSA
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