Michigan Workforce Summit: Advancing Immigrant & Refugee Inclusion

Michigan’s drive and innovation are unparalleled. Yet across the state, open jobs outnumber available workers, limiting growth and opportunity. 

It’s time to champion hidden talent pools. Michigan’s 400,000 working-age immigrants and refugees are the place to start.

Join a solutions-focused gathering to connect Michigan employers, community colleges, and workforce partners in growing a network that recruits and retains, engages and empowers workers from immigrant backgrounds.

This free event, hosted by The Michigan Global Talent Initiative, Office of Global Michigan, and EnGen, promises valuable connections, renewed relationships, and actionable insights to build a more inclusive, fully-staffed, and future-ready Michigan workforce:

• Meet like-minded local employers, HR professionals, community colleges and workforce leaders
• Participate in developing strategies for inclusive recruitment and upskilling that connect with workers from immigrant backgrounds 
• Learn how Michigan employers, community colleges, and learners can access career-aligned English upskilling – a trailblazing approach to contextualized ESL offered free-of-charge thanks to a partnership with The Michigan Global Talent Initiative  

SPEAKERS: 

• Amy Cheadle - Digital Literacy and Learning Program Coordinator, Office of Global Michigan
• Sameh Elhady - CDF-CBSP/New Americans' Senior liaison, SEMCA (Southeast Michigan Community Alliance)

With more speakers being added, check back for a complete list.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:

• 2:00 - 3:00 PM: Check in, networking, product demos
• 3:00 - 3:20 PM: Welcome - Setting the Stage in Michigan
• 3:20 - 4:00 PM: Panel Discussion and Questions - Attracting and retaining immigrant and refugee talent with an inclusive workforce strategy
• 4:00 - 4:30 PM: Breakout groups - Building collaboration and an ecosystem approach to connect the dots
• 4:30 - 5:00 PM: General session - Discoveries and action items
• 5:00 - 6:00 PM: Hosted happy hour