1. Unlocking Career Advancement for Immigrant Workers

2. Presenters Unlocking Career Advancement for Immigrant Workers
Jennie Murray, Director of Integration Programs, National Immigration Forum
Teresita Wisell, Vice President and Dean for Workforce Development and Community Education, Westchester Community College and Executive Director of CCCIE
Dan Kosten, Policy and Advocacy Assistant Director for Skills and Workforce Development, National Immigration Forum

3. Introduction Immigrants 17% of the U.S. workforce
Unlocking Career Advancement for Immigrant Workers
Immigrants 17% of the U.S. workforce
The only growth factor in the workforce
English is one of the biggest barriers to career advancement

4. Source: Pew Research Center
Stacked Chart
Source: Pew Research Center

5. Pie Chart

6. Content English language learning (ELL) is workforce development
Unlocking Career Advancement for Immigrant Workers
English language learning (ELL) is workforce development
Different ELL models
Increased public and private investment in ELL

7. English Learning is Workforce Development
English learning not traditionally seen as workforce development
Strengthens: digital literacy, computer skills, soft skills, continuing education, credentialing
Promotes: Job retention and career advancement in the midst of both a skills and labor shortage

8. 6.7 million

9. II. Innovative Models for English Language Learners
Traditional model
Digital model
Blended model
Contextualized model

10. Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Pie Chart
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

11. III. Employer’s Investment in English Language Learning
Decline in federal funding
Limited but growing employer investment
Incentivizing greater employer investment
Notes:

12. Source: National Skills Coalition
Line Graph
Source: National Skills Coalition

13. III. Employer’s Investment in English Language Learning
Decline in federal funding
Limited but growing employer investment
Incentivizing greater employer investment
Notes:

14. Summary
Immigrants are a growing and critical component of the U.S. workforce.
Greater attention must be given to English language learning (ELL).
Increase public and private investment in ELL.
Notes:

15. Presenters Unlocking Career Advancement for Immigrant Workers
Jennie Murray, Director of Integration Programs, National Immigration Forum
Teresita Wisell, Vice President and Dean for Workforce Development and Community Education, Westchester Community College and Executive Director of CCCIE
Dan Kosten, Policy and Advocacy Assistant Director for Skills and Workforce Development, National Immigration Forum

16. Percent of total participants
Skills and Opportunity for the
New American Workforce
THE NEED
THE SOLUTION
Contextualized English Language training for the retail sector
Original blended curriculum delivered 40% in person and 60% online
Instruction provided by community college and organization partners at the worksite and on campus
In partnership with: Miami Dade College and Community College Consortium for Immigrant Education
OUR PARTICIPANTS
2 YEARS
1000 EMPLOYEES
3 PILOT CITIES
3 MAJOR RETAILERS
Characteristic
Percent of total participants
Female
75%
Cohorts with participants under 30
50%
Native Spanish speakers
94%
Education: high school diploma/GED or less
71%
Never studied English before
32%
10 years or more in the US
52%
5 years or more employed with company
48%
Same job since started with company
70%

17. Training Delivery Models
Corporate Trainer(s)
Community College(s)
Remote Instructors
50+ Community Colleges & non profit orgs ready to deliver instruction
Partnering with third-party training platforms to offer instruction
Train-the-trainer sessions available
[Models can be blended to meet operational needs]

18. Skills and Opportunity for the New American Workforce
Year 2: Key Results
New American Workforce is a project of the National Immigration Forum

19. Impact: Employers’ Perceptions
Skills and Opportunity for the New American Workforce
Impact: Employers’ Perceptions

20. Q & A

21. Summary
Immigrants are a growing and critical component of the U.S. workforce.
Greater attention must be given to English language learning (ELL).
Increase public and private investment in ELL.
Notes: