Welcoming and Integrating Refugee Professionals Welcoming America - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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
• pportunities 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

Debra Means & Senay Gebremedhin WES Global Talent Bridge

WES Global Talent Bridge Speakers

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.

What is Brain Waste?

Brain waste occurs when college graduates cannot fully utilize their skills and education in the workforce despite their high professional qualification. Unemployment and underemployment of educated professionals

Refugees and Immigrants with Degrees from Abroad

Employed in skill- appropriate jobs Un- or under- employed Nearly two Million

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

The original seemingly failing grade is actually an A when evaluated.

Sample Credential Evaluation

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
• pportunities 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

• f Laboratories

QUESTIONS?

Welcoming Standard

Welcoming Interactive 2018

Save the Date June 18-20, 2018 Louisville, Kentucky

Speaker Contact Information

Nicole Redford Program Manager Higher nredford@lirs.org www.higheradvantage.org Debra Means-West Program Manager WES Global Talent Bridge dmeans@wes.org www.wes.org www.imprintproject.org Senay Gebremedhin Program Manager WES Global Talent Bridge sgebreme@wes.org www.wes.org www.imprintproject.org

Keep in Touch

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