The partnership between Upwardly Global, Global Detroit’s Michigan Global Talent Initiative, and the Michigan Works! Association began with a clear vision: to advance college-educated, internationally trained job seekers into Michigan-based careers in their profession.
Two years later, that vision is being realized through the Michigan Skilled Immigrant Integration Program (MI SIIP) — a collaborative initiative that is changing lives and strengthening the state’s workforce and communities.
The Role of Michigan Works! Association
At the heart of this partnership is the Michigan Works! Association, a statewide leader in workforce development. Through its member agencies, Michigan Works! connects job seekers and employers, while advocating for inclusive workforce policies and delivering training and networking opportunities. With MI SIIP, the association focuses on helping immigrant and refugee professionals reenter their careers in the U.S.
Ryan Hundt, CEO of the Michigan Works! Association shared:
“It’s our role through this program to determine and help figure out what are the best ways that we can evaluate that individual for any additional training or upskilling or licensing they may need, and then what other workforce development services might we provide, such as interview preparation, resume writing, or even supporting English as a second language.”
Bringing Local and National Expertise Together
Global Detroit relaunched MI SIIP in 2024 and brought in Upwardly Global’s national expertise. Global Detroit has long championed immigrant inclusion in Michigan’s economy, recognizing internationally educated professionals as an underutilized talent pool. Their leadership ensured that programming was tailored to local workforce needs while backed by national best practices.
Shanea Condon, Director of the Michigan Global Talent Initiative at Global Detroit, said:
“Key factors for me in this partnership certainly include Upwardly Global’s long history with skilled immigrant integration, the valuable upskilling resources that the organization has developed from the work, expertise, and insights that have been gleaned not only regionally but nationally.
I think that’s really amazing that Upwardly Global comes with those insights and tools to support folks, especially us who are newer in this space.”
A Coaching Model That Delivers Results
Upwardly Global’s culturally competent coaching model has delivered structured, scalable support to hundreds of job seekers across five Michigan Works! agencies. Job coaches receive ongoing training and access to digital tools, ensuring clients have personalized guidance every step of the way. Ryan said:
“I think the greatest impact for the partnership is the number of individuals that have been going through and completing the upskilling through Upwardly Global, that is ultimately leading to job placements and then also an increase in the average salary for the individuals that are working through the program.
We want to see salary increases for these individuals. By working with Upwardly Global, by working through the Michigan Works! agencies that are providing support for the program, we’re hopefully getting these individuals placed into jobs and increasing their earnings, so they can better support themselves and their families.”
In the first year, MI SIIP enrolled 667 eligible applicants — more than triple the original target. Monthly coordination calls, job coach collaboration, and enhanced outreach led to improved engagement, better data tracking, and more tailored career pathway planning.
Changing Lives, One Story at a Time
Behind each number is a human story — like AT, an immigrant from India with a master’s degree. When he joined MI SIIP in early 2025, he was eager to return to his legal career. With the help of his Michigan Works! job coach and Upwardly Global’s resources, he enrolled in an immigration law certificate program and prepared for interviews. Within months, he had two job offers. He chose a paralegal assistant role — strategically aligning with his long-term goal of becoming a practicing attorney in the U.S. “The support I received helped me see a clear path forward,” he said.
Stories like AT’s are becoming more common. For Oakland County Michigan Works!, coaches saw stronger outcomes when their job seekers were required to complete training modules before their sessions — creating more focused and productive conversations. These success stories truly highlight the impact of this program on both a quantitative and emotional level.
Petro Kosho is a Program Manager at Global Detroit. He sees these stories as one of the strongest indicators of the program’s success, especially among job seekers. He shared:
“I see that there is a lot of impact on the people that read these stories because there are lots of immigrants, refugees, or asylum seekers out there that may be in the same situation.
They know that there is a ray of hope out there and that there are these organizations like Upwardly Global or like [Global Detroit] that really want to support them.”
Building More Inclusive Futures
Looking ahead, the partnership aims to deepen its impact. There are plans to launch region-specific marketing campaigns to reach more eligible job seekers, especially in underrepresented areas. Business service teams will work more closely with job coaches to align talent with high-demand industries. The long-term vision is to embed immigrant inclusion into Michigan’s workforce systems — so that hiring immigrants and refugees with professional backgrounds isn’t just a program, but a norm.
The combined support of the Michigan Global Talent Initiative, the Michigan Works! Association, and Upwardly Global prove that inclusive workforce development isn’t just possible — it’s transformative.
As this collaboration enters its next chapter, the focus remains on meeting job seekers where they are and supporting them in reaching their full potential. Ryan shared:
“Upwardly Global has shown throughout the entire duration of the program thus far that you’re getting a quality product and also a reliable, dedicated staff. You’re also getting expertise through their personnel that’s able to troubleshoot, able to look at ways that we could maybe measure success differently, and also look at ways that we can better support the immigrant and the refugee population.”
Let’s Build a More Inclusive Workforce Together
Inspired by this story? Join the growing number of organizations unlocking global talent and helping immigrants reclaim their careers in the U.S. Whether you’re ready to explore partnership opportunities, request a demo, or just learn more — our team is here to help you take the next step. Connect with us today and discover what’s possible!