Presentation Title
Best Practices for Employing New Americans in Vermont
Abstract
Employment is a central aspiration for Vermonters from all walks of life. For New Americans – immigrants who have arrived in the state through direct resettlement via the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) or through secondary migration – employment is the foundation of effective integration and socio-economic outcomes. Yet many barriers to employment for New Americans in Vermont remain. The purpose of this research is to explore, analyze and document employment opportunities and challenges for refugee arrivals and New Americans in Vermont.
The research draws on interviews with a total of 27 individuals (10 employers, 13 employees and 4 service providers working in the field of employment assistance) to identify important trends: what is working well, where improvements need to be made, and what we can learn about best practices from employers.
The purpose of the research is to create a best-practices model for current and future employers of New Americans in order to provide a safe and welcoming workplace. The project’s primary objective is to identify ways to improve safety and well-being for New Americans in the workplace. The main products of this research will be two reports, a set of recommendations for best practices regarding employing New Americans and a short handbook or toolkit that can help employers who may be interested in hiring New American workers. We also hope that this research can be helpful for policymakers hoping to address employment issues for New Americans in the state.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Pablo Bose
Faculty/Staff Collaborators
The Association of Americans Living in Vermont, The US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Global Studies
Second Program/Major
Spanish
Primary Research Category
Vermont Studies
Best Practices for Employing New Americans in Vermont
Employment is a central aspiration for Vermonters from all walks of life. For New Americans – immigrants who have arrived in the state through direct resettlement via the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) or through secondary migration – employment is the foundation of effective integration and socio-economic outcomes. Yet many barriers to employment for New Americans in Vermont remain. The purpose of this research is to explore, analyze and document employment opportunities and challenges for refugee arrivals and New Americans in Vermont.
The research draws on interviews with a total of 27 individuals (10 employers, 13 employees and 4 service providers working in the field of employment assistance) to identify important trends: what is working well, where improvements need to be made, and what we can learn about best practices from employers.
The purpose of the research is to create a best-practices model for current and future employers of New Americans in order to provide a safe and welcoming workplace. The project’s primary objective is to identify ways to improve safety and well-being for New Americans in the workplace. The main products of this research will be two reports, a set of recommendations for best practices regarding employing New Americans and a short handbook or toolkit that can help employers who may be interested in hiring New American workers. We also hope that this research can be helpful for policymakers hoping to address employment issues for New Americans in the state.