Connecting Refugees to Workforce Development Opportunities: Promising Partnerships and the New Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

The Office of Refugee Resettlement presented a webinar on Connecting Refugees to Workforce Development Opportunities: Promising Partnerships and the New Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) on November 4, 2015 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. EST. This webinar highlighted the opportunities for refugee organizations to enhance services and develop new partnerships with workforce development agencies with the new Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Common areas of service, performance metrics, and populations were discussed to showcase the potential for national, state and local refugee agencies and organizations to enhance collaboration, partnerships, and deliver enhanced workforce programs for refugees. Additionally, a speaker from the San Diego, California – International Rescue Committee discussed the coordination and partnership between their organization and their local workforce investment board through their Connect2Work program, their Workforce Accelerator Grant, and Health Profession Opportunity Grants program in connecting youth and adult refugees to employment programs.

Speakers: 

• Moderator: Ed Trumbull, Principal, ICF International
• Kathy Tran, Policy and Advocacy Assistant Director for Skills and Workforce Development, National Immigration Forum
• Jennifer Kemp, Unit Chief, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor
• Dr. Erica Bouris, Deputy Director, Programs, International Rescue Committee, San Diego