Nearly 50% of U.S. employers are having a hard time finding skilled talent as there are more than 7.5 million unfilled jobs in the country. Meanwhile, there are about two million college-educated immigrants and refugees who are underemployed or unemployed. Smart employers are weaving in language education programs at their workplaces as a way to help this refugee talent pool learn English on the job in a way that benefits both the employee and company.
“A number of business and city leaders in upstate New York municipalities have sought ways to incentivize refugees to relocate to the area with the promise of work,” Quartz reports. “Recognizing both the importance of hiring refugees and the importance of providing for specific needs, these leaders have invested in language learning as system to attract and retain high-skilled immigrant workers.”