"Refugees have many questions about how employment in the U.S. works," says job readiness instructor Deborah Cash-Bargabus. Thanks to a generous $25,000 grant from the ACE Charitable Foundation, IRC Atlanta has expanded and deepened its job readiness training not only to answer these questions but also to keep refugees nimble and competitive in today’s tough job market.
Every refugee adult of employment age that IRC Atlanta resettles now receives eight hours of intensive employment orientation, up from just two previously. These sessions inform newly arrived refugees about what to expect in the job search process and build their understanding of the responsibilities and expectations of employers and their employees. To facilitate learning, instruction is offered in the refugees' language rather than English; thus far, these weekly orientations have been given in Arabic, Nepali, Burmese, Farsi, Amharic and Tigrinya.
In this all-refugee learning environment, questions abound. "I often get asked whether it is appropriate to list overseas job references or to talk about money in the job interview," says Cash-Bargabus. With this deeper introduction, "refugees can feel more confident when they go to their first job interview."
With the ACE Foundation support, IRC Atlanta also now offers a second, more advanced level of job readiness and vocational English training. This class is designed for those refugees who are more proficient in English and have existing marketable skills. Says Cash-Bargabus, "Most of my Advanced Job Readiness students have professional degrees or were business owners back home. Right now, for instance, I have a nursing study group" made up of refugees who had certified nursing degrees before they came to the U.S. Other students include a former high school principal, a welder, electricians, a plumber, and former merchants.
The curriculum focuses on completing job searches, practicing job interviews and helping students learn the language and skills necessary for them to start to work once again in their professional field.
With IRC’s help, Subitra, a former nurse from Bhutan, has already begun working as a volunteer at a local nursing care facility. "They are so happy with her work that sometimes Subitra misses class because she has been called in for an additional volunteer shift."
