When internationally trained professionals arrive in the United States, they often bring years of experience, degrees, and expertise with them. What they don’t always have are the tools, networks, or guidance needed to navigate the U.S. workforce system.
That’s where the partnership between Ysleta Community Adult Learning Center and Upwardly Global comes in.
Since officially launching their partnership in 2025, Ysleta has used Upwardly Global’s resources to help internationally trained professionals strengthen their English skills, build confidence, earn certifications, and begin reclaiming careers they worked hard to build.
“Our program for our professionals is an intensive English program that will prepare them to hopefully join the workforce, open up a business, or continue to postsecondary [education],” says Yoliett Puga, Instructional Coach at Ysleta Community Learning Center. “We help them embed themselves in the workplace here and learn the systems here in the United States.”
Integrated Support
What makes this partnership so special is the way Ysleta chose to use UpGlo’s resources as a core part of instruction. From career coaching and resume-building to certifications and advanced skilling opportunities, the platform has become woven into the daily classroom experience.
“One of the reasons that we also decided to embed Upwardly Global in our classrooms is because we work with adults, and it is very difficult for them to log on after hours,” Yoliett explains.
For many students balancing jobs, families, and the pressures of starting over, having dedicated classroom time to navigate certifications and career pathways has been critical.
Emilio Estrada, Instructor for Internationally Trained Professionals (ITPs) at Ysleta, says the structure allows students to receive individualized support while working toward industry-recognized credentials.
“Upwardly Global was an opportunity for us to embed workplace certification skills into the instruction and open up that opportunity for small group or one-to-one instruction with students,” Emilio shares.
And students are responding. In under a year, Ysleta enrolled 73 jobseekers on the UpGlo Learning platform, helping 36 participants progress through industry-specific pathways and supporting 31 learners in obtaining high-demand certifications.
Creating Momentum Through Confidence
For many internationally trained professionals, rebuilding a career in the U.S. is not just about skills; it’s about confidence. Many arrive highly accomplished in their home countries, only to find themselves unsure of how to navigate a new professional culture, unfamiliar systems, or language barriers.
“We understand that they were very successful in their careers in their countries,” Emilio says, “But then coming here and finding that barrier of not having their studies certified can be [de]motivating.”
That’s why even small milestones matter.
Karla’s Story
Karla is a doctor from Mexico whose degree, like many internationally trained professionals, is not recognized in the U.S. Determined to find her way back to her field, Karla worked closely with Georgina Tena, her ITP Advanced Level instructor, to research programs, review prerequisites, and identify the credentials that would move her forward. With additional guidance from UpGlo, she had a clear roadmap and a team behind her every step of the way.
She began with the prerequisite coursework available through Coursera, which provided a foundation and made her eligible to pursue the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), one of the most respected and widely recognized allied health credentialing bodies in the United States.
For an internationally trained physician like Karla, the NHA’s CCMA is a strategic and recognized entry point into U.S. clinical settings, valued by hospitals, clinics, and healthcare networks nationwide, and a meaningful bridge toward reestablishing a career in medicine in the states.
Marisela’s Story
Marisela, a trained accountant from Mexico, arrived with years of professional expertise and a clear vision for her future. Through the platform, she earned five certifications, including bookkeeping and payroll, two of the most in-demand credentials in the U.S. financial services sector.
Through Ysleta Community Learning Center, Marisela is strengthening her English proficiency, and with each certification she earns, she is simultaneously acquiring the specialized, field-specific vocabulary of her profession. Upon graduation, Marisela plans to launch her own accounting practice.
Stories like Karla and Marisela’s have become a source of momentum throughout the program. In her classroom, Georgina created a bulletin board covered with student-earned certificates. The effect on the classroom community has been profound; students are deeply proud to see their names displayed, and for others, it’s an inspiration.
“When newcomers walk in and see the certificates of those who came before them, something shifts. The message is clear and powerful. Others are doing it, and so can you,” Georgina says.
Expanding What’s Possible
At its heart, this partnership is about ensuring that internationally trained professionals are defined by the skills, experience, and potential they bring when they arrive in the U.S.
The impact of the partnership extends beyond certifications. Students are improving their English proficiency, learning workplace vocabulary, practicing mock interviews, building confidence to imagine themselves back in professional spaces, and gaining a clearer understanding of the U.S. job market.
Looking ahead, Ysleta hopes to continue expanding its internationally trained professionals’ program and deepen the support available to students across the El Paso region.
“We would like to continue strengthening our partnership, growing the program,” Yoliett says. “Hopefully, we can have more of our professionals working here in El Paso or anywhere in the United States.”
Interested in our UpGlo Connect partnership model?
