In 2019 the IRC in NY began a new partnership with WeWork to bring English language acquisition and workforce development into the workplaces of IRC clients. WeWork has committed to hiring 5,000 refugees globally and nearly one hundred NY IRC clients have been hired to work at WeWork locations around the city. The IRC and WeWork built on this commitment by teaming up to help develop the professional skills of IRC clients employed in the Community Services Associate role at WeWork. The IRC’s Education & Learning, Employment, and Resettlement teams collaborated in the development of this innovative program in partnership with WeWork. 

The goals of the program included supporting with strengthening English language skills, increasing familiarity and fluency with American workplace culture, expanding professional networks and building confidence in professional settings. The cohort, a mixed group of IRC clients and other newly arrived immigrant employees, met three days a week for two hours each day after participant shifts for ten weeks starting in June and concluding in mid-August. The deep commitment to personal growth was evident in the participants as they opted to extend their work day, unpaid, in order to achieve their goals and increase their skills. Chromebooks were provided for participants to practice digital literacy skills integrated into the course. 

very large group of WeWork training candidates posing with their graduation diplomas.
The first cohort of IRC and WeWork training candidates celebrate their graduation.
Photo: Caitlyn Griffith-Heritage.

The program was also designed to connect participants with WeWork personnel who could serve as allies within the WeWork network. As such, each participant had a partner who joined for one session a week. The partners were WeWork staff members working in different departments. These volunteer partners demonstrated incredible commitment to the program and the progress of their participant partners. Refugees, asylees, and immigrants are highly motivated workers who may require support and encouragement at the beginning of their careers to advance, but demonstrate a deep desire to grow professionally as they build new lives here in New York City. This networking opportunity ensured interpersonal development in addition to technical skillbuilding. 

The IRC is very proud of this first cohort, and is excited to see what the future holds for these graduates and this program! The second cycle of the Skills for Work program will begin on September 17, 2019.

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