|
DALLAS – The City of Dallas announced they are now one of eight U.S. communities to join The World Education Service (WES) Skilled Immigrant Integration Program (SIIP). Through this program, the City of Dallas Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs Division will be partnering with Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas to promote immigrant and refugee-inclusion in local workforce systems.
“As a welcoming city, we want to ensure that all residents, including immigrants, have opportunities to activate their full potential and thrive in Dallas.” said Chief of the Office of Equity and Inclusion Liz Cedillo – Pereira. “We look forward to collaborating with the World Education Services and Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas to increase the capacity of our workforce development systems as well as amplify new and existing talent within our immigrant and refugee community.”
The City of Dallas Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs Division (WCIA) and Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas (WFSDallas) will join a dynamic network of communities who demonstrate commitment to initiatives that foster the professional success of immigrants and refugees with international education and experience. As part of being selected, WCIA and WFSDallas will receive technical assistance to advance their skill development and immigrant integration initiatives.
“Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas is committed to providing the best workforce for area employers and the best opportunities for workers. At this critical time, we see employers struggling to identify trained workers for careers in our economy,” said President of WFSDallas Laurie Bouillion Larrea. “WES will provide resources to the City and keys to engaging skilled immigrants who are needed to keep our economy growing. There couldn’t be a better time for this addition to our workforce toolkit.”
There is a growing pool of immigrants, refugees and asylees who are contributing their experience and training to Dallas workforce. 31% of the Dallas workforce is an immigrant. According to an analysis by New American Economy and Census information, highly skilled immigrants are 50% more likely to be in poverty than highly skilled U.S. born residents in Dallas.
To address these disparities, WCIA and WFSDallas aim to work with WES to:
- Enhance the workforce development system to better serve internationally trained immigrants.
- Engage employers in recognizing and leveraging skilled immigrant talent
- Identify higher education opportunities to support skilled immigrants in professional and academic pathways
WES launched SIIP in 2017 as part of its effort to support local, regional and statewide initiatives aimed at addressing the underemployment of immigrants and refugees with skills and education earned abroad. The program now includes 32 community-based networks of state and city government agencies, community colleges, and non-profit organizations. It is administered by WES Global Talent Bridge.
“The addition of these eight new communities will broaden and deepen the impact of the SIIP network; it will also enable immigrants and refugees to contribute more fully to state, and local economies across the nation,” said WES Executve Director for Global Talent Police and Programs Paul Feltman. “And just as importantly, it will improve immigrants’ livelihoods by ensuring they are able to identify and access localized pathways to using their skills, training, and experience to achieve professional success.”
Over the course of the year, WES and its national partners will provide each of the communities with customized technical assistance and coaching, as well as access to a collaborative network of SIIP alumni who have already identified the tools and strategies needed to build immigrant-inclusive economies.
To learn more about The World Education Service (WES) Skilled Immigrant Integration Program (SIIP) visit: wes.org
###
|
