Dallas Will Join A Workforce Diversity Development Program

DALLAS, TX — Local officials say Dallas will become one of eight US communities to join The World Education Service Skilled Immigrant Integration Program.

The mandate of the program (which includes the City of Dallas Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs Division) is to partner with Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas to promote immigrant and refugee-inclusion in the local workforce.

“As a welcoming city, we want to ensure that all residents, including immigrants, have opportunities to activate their full potential and thrive in Dallas.” says Chief of the Office of Equity and Inclusion Liz Cedillo – Pereira.

Want to be the first to know about Patch membership when it launches? Click here to find out how you can support Patch and local journalism.

“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 network of communities to foster the success of immigrants and refugees who arrive with international education and experience. As part of being selected, WCIA and WFSDallas will receive technical assistance to advance 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.

The local pool of immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers who are contributing their experience and training to Dallas workforce is growing. To date, 31% of the Dallas workforce is 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 an 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

Looking for more Dallas news? Subscribe.