Education

African immigrants come to the United States with credits, prior learning, and degrees from their home countries. But those degrees do not transfer into the US education system or workforce. The future of Minnesota’s workforce and economy heavily relies on immigrant populations. However, these jobs are hard to fill particularly in the business sector. Credentials do not transfer, and it is a barrier for the workforce. Immigrants accept employment that is entry-level compared to their employment from their home countries. When they arrive in Minnesota, they are put into group homes versus being offered fair and equitable housing. In addition, it is hard for them to get on their feet to fill jobs because their credentials are not recognized in the states which makes them hesitant to apply for jobs that they are qualified for. The gap that exists between the immigrant community and the workforce is rather large. If more of them have jobs, they will contribute to Minnesota’s economy while making Minnesota their home.

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We want to:

• Increase the number of African immigrants in the Minnesota workforce

• Create a continuing education program for African immigrants so that credentials from their home countries will be validated.

• Integrate workforce training into education for African immigrants

• Help professional Africans from bachelor’s degrees and above to get into professional jobs with livable wages by connecting them with entry-level jobs within their companies.

• Promote diversity and employment services.

• Build a pipeline from entry-level up to executive-level positions. Impact

• Helping African immigrants and graduates fill job opportunities (creating resumes, training for jobs,)

• Linking job seekers to jobs (Review their LinkedIn Profiles)

• More people will have validated credentials from their home countries.

• Increase the number of people going into the workforce to close the disparity in the workforce 

• Build a job database and training centers to increase the number of immigrants into jobs

• Increase partnerships with public and private corporations.   

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