Impact

Our Influence and Impact Program aims to promote change of inefficient labor markets and practices that result in employment barriers for skilled immigrants. We develop best practices and resources to educate decision-makers about skilled immigrants and build awareness that leads to the adoption of more effective and inclusive practices and policies. This work draws on the expertise we gain working directly with skilled immigrants and U.S. employers.

Example: Dieudonne is a foreign-trained nurse and public health professional with experience in multiple African countries and in Haiti earthquake relief. He lives in one of the 17 states that requires two very similar skills exams to license as a registered nurse: one for foreign-trained and one for all U.S. nursing school graduates. This redundant testing costs him precious time and money and slows his integration into nursing industry. One goal of our Influence & Impact program is to draw attention to such inefficiencies in professional regulation and encourage their reform.

More information on the successes of our Impact and Influence Program

impact on the job seekers:

Our programs result in multiple social and economic benefits to job seekers and their families.

• Increased income: Job seekers generate an additional $175,000 in income over a five year period as a result of their professional placement and high retention rates.

• Benefits for immigrant families: Eighty five percent of job seekers provide financial support for three children and/or family members. In 2010, they supported a total of 600 dependents.

Impact on the Employer:

Upwardly Global acts as a bridge for professionals to bring their talents to where it can be utilized to the fullest.

• Educated and experienced candidates: Upwardly Global's program participants have a university degree (more than 50 percent have master's degrees) with an average of 10 years of work experience in their respective fields.

• Cross-cultural and multilingual talent: With 12.5 percent (38.5 million) of the current U.S. population being immigrants (Batalova and Terrazas, 2010), companies who hire employees that are representative of their consumer base are better equipped to attract ethnic markets.

impact on the economy and society:

Fulfilling our mission and vision results in improving our country's standing in the global economy.

• Poverty alleviation: In 2010, our 240 placements created a one-year increase in income of $8.4 million to immigrant families who were formerly struggling. Of these individuals, 71 percent were previously unemployed and relied on their savings or government assistance for survival.

• Economic growth: According to the White House Council of Economic Advisers, immigration increases the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by roughly $37 billion each year because they increase the size of the total labor force, complement the native-born workforce, and stimulate capital investment by adding workers to their labor pool (Council of Economic Advisors, 2007)