Welcoming and Integrating Refugee Professionals

Transcription

1 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.

2 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

3 Agenda Introduction WES/IMPRINT Higher Featured Refugee Professional Q&A

4 WES Global Talent Bridge Speakers Debra Means & Senay Gebremedhin WES Global Talent Bridge

5 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.

6 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

7 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.

8 What is Brain Waste? Refugees and Immigrants with Degrees from Abroad 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 Nearly two Million Employed in skillappropriate jobs Un- or underemployed Migration Policy Institute, 2014

9 Factors Driving Brain Waste Foreign Credential Recognition Lack of additional U.S. Credentials Lack of Social Capital Limited English Proficiency

10 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

11 Recommendations Fund existing public programs Improve data collection Connect mainstream providers & specialized services Identify opportunities within government for immigrant professionals to acquire American experience

12 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

13 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

14 Sample Credential Evaluation The original seemingly failing grade is actually an A when evaluated.

15 Selecting Evaluators No universally accepted credential evaluation service Research requirements for specific purpose: Education Licensing Employment Consult to identify a reliable service

16 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.

17 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.

18 WES Resources Country Specific Information

19 Additional WES Resources WES Free Tools

20 Higher

21 Higher Resources Sign up for our Online Learning Management System

22 Featured Refugee Professional Mohammed Al Charakh Senior Microbiologist, Idaho Bureau of Laboratories

23 QUESTIONS?

24 Welcoming Standard

25 Welcoming Interactive 2018 Save the Date June 18-20, 2018 Louisville, Kentucky

26 Speaker Contact Information Nicole Redford Program Manager Higher Debra Means-West Program Manager WES Global Talent Bridge Senay Gebremedhin Program Manager WES Global Talent Bridge

27 Keep in Touch WelcomingAmerica.org Like us on Facebook facebook.com/welcomingamerica Follow us on Subscribe to our YouTube Channel youtube.com/welcomingamerica Connect with us on LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/welcoming-america