Workforce Initiatives

The distance between an employer and an African immigrant continues to widen. Baby boomers are retiring and as a result, the gap of skilled employees in Minnesota will continue to grow. Meanwhile, the growing population of African immigrants, who represent the future workforce of Minnesota, is educated and skilled. Yet, they are unable to access job opportunities because of obstacles like lack of credential evaluation, lack of access to employment-related information and training, and lack of appropriate and relevant educational backgrounds. 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. Additionally, 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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Most African immigrants are coming from their respective countries because of political crises. Others are settled in the US through Diversity Lottery and family reunification opportunities provided by immigration laws.  As a result, these African immigrants bring diverse skills and experiences. It is not unusual to find doctors, lawyers, teachers, administrators, airline technicians, bankers, etc., among them.  However, when arriving here there are limited means for them to be appropriately placed in the workforce for which they have sufficient experience. In other words, African immigrants are undervalued and under-employed.

 

One of the strongest indicators of the resilience of African immigrants is that some of them start their own businesses.  As you all know, there are many restaurants, grocery stores, barbershops, beauty shops in the Twin Cities, and surrounding areas that were started by members of the African immigrant community. Unfortunately, many have not been fortunate enough to find the capital or the training to do the same. Thus, a significant number of highly skilled African immigrants are still driving taxis, working in day labor, etc. 

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What's the solution? 

• Increase the number of African immigrants into the Minnesota workforce.

• Create continuing education programs for African immigrants that validate their existing credentials.

• Integrate workforce training into education for African immigrants; include how to align future studies/training with existing credentials

• Help professional Africans with bachelor’s degrees and above get into professional jobs with livable wages by connecting them with partner companies.

• Promote diversity and employment services.

• Build a pipeline from entry level to executive level positions. 

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More specifically:

• Minnesota Africans United will build its own African immigrant workforce database through consultation with other African-centered organizations and the state demographers office

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• Minnesota Africans United will Serve as a clearinghouse for all information on labor/work/career availability relevant to African immigrants throughout the state in general and metropolitan area in particular;

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• Minnesota Africans United will consult with area employers and serve as a source of African skilled workers for their needs;

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• Minnesota Africans United will provide all immigrants with relevant information associated with workforce training and provide the training as resources warrant; and

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• Minnesota Africans United will provide training to African immigrants on matters relevant to job search, educational resources to improve their capacity, etc.

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The 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

• The disparity will be closed in the workforce area.

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

• Increase partnership with public and private corporation Investment Build technology infrastructure (database) of immigrants that could be made available to employers for recruitment and hiring.  

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