Welcome Corps at Work: An Innovative Solution for U.S. Labor Shortages and Refugee Resettlement

New York, NY, April 17, 2024 - Today, the International Rescue Committee (IRC)and Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB)announce the launch of the Welcome Corps at Work (WCW)program, a new initiative that offers a humanitarian solution to both skilled labor shortages in the U.S. and refugee displacement abroad. WCW connects U.S. employers with qualified refugees and, after receiving a concrete job offer, facilitates their resettlement through private sponsor support.

U.S. employers need skilled employees. Studies from the Bureau of Labor Statisticsand the U.S. Chamber of Commercedemonstrate the need for more trained workers in the U.S., particularly in the fields of healthcare, information technology, education, and manufacturing. WCW presents a unique solution to fill these workforce gaps by pairing skilled refugees with employers in need of specialized labor.

Before resettlement, refugees are matched with U.S. employers based on their skills and receive support throughout the job interview process. If they receive a job offer, refugees will be resettled in the United States with the support of a private sponsor group. The private sponsor group provides resettlement and integration services to newly arrived refugees for 90 days after arrival. This support includes assistance with housing, basic necessities, and connections to schools and medical care - similar to the services provided through a traditional resettlement pathway.

The Welcome Corps at Work is a refugee resettlement program distinct from labor visa pathways. Refugees resettled through the Welcome Corps at Work program are processed through the USRAPand, as any other refugee, undergo rigorous vetting, medical screening, and cultural orientation.

Hans Van de Weerd, Senior Vice President for Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration with the International Rescue Committee, said:

"Many refugees worked as skilled professionals in their home countries before they were forced to flee. Welcome Corps at Work is an innovative solution to their humanitarian needs as well as the economic needs of U.S. employers. Through WCW, refugees can achieve economic stability and long-term integration in the United States, while U.S. businesses can hire the workforce needed to thrive. We're proud to launch this new program alongside our partners."

Betsy Fisher, U.S. Director with Talent Beyond Boundaries, said:

"We're thrilled to see the launch of Welcome Corps at Work. This program stands as a groundbreaking bridge for refugees to connect with meaningful employment opportunities here in the United States. Through WCW, we're not only addressing the critical talent demands of U.S. employers, but also championing the right of displaced people to rebuild their lives and thrive."

The Welcome Corps at Work is a program of the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) from the U.S. Department of State. The International Rescue Committee administers the program and partners with Talent Beyond Boundaries. The program seeks to add labor mobility to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program through private sponsorship, in line with the Welcome Corps. To learn more about Welcome Corps at Work, visit the Welcome Corps websiteor contact [email protected].