Welcoming and Integrating Refugee Professionals · Welcoming and Integrating Refugee Professionals...
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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.
Transcript of Welcoming and Integrating Refugee Professionals · Welcoming and Integrating Refugee Professionals...
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
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
opportunities for “bridging.”
• Establish point of contact or navigator within
academic institutions and workforce agencies
for immigrants in the community.
New Tool: Nursing E-guideProvides 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.
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
Nicole Redford
Program Manager
Higher
www.higheradvantage.org
Debra Means-West
Program Manager
WES Global Talent Bridge
www.wes.org
www.imprintproject.org
Senay Gebremedhin
Program Manager
WES Global Talent Bridge
www.wes.org
www.imprintproject.org
Keep in Touch
WelcomingAmerica.org
Like us on Facebook
facebook.com/WelcomingAmerica
Follow us on Twitter
@WelcomingUSA
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
youtube.com/WelcomingAmerica
Connect with us on LinkedIn
linkedin.com/company/welcoming-america
