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Today’s HR leaders face increasing pressure to build resilient talent pipelines while advancing workforce inclusion, employee engagement, and organizational growth. As employers across the region search for new ways to address talent shortages, immigrant and internationally trained professionals represent an often-overlooked source of skilled talent.
In this session, representatives from The Welcoming Center will explore how immigrant and internationally trained professionals are contributing to the region’s economy and labor force. Attendees will learn how workforce development strategies, including skills training, career coaching, language support, and employer partnerships, help connect businesses with qualified, job-ready candidates across industries ranging from manufacturing and the skilled trades to professional occupations. An immigration law expert will complement the discussion by addressing common questions related to work authorization, hiring compliance, and other legal considerations when recruiting immigrant talent.
With immigrants representing approximately one in five workers in the Philadelphia region, this session will provide HR professionals with practical strategies for expanding talent pipelines, strengthening recruitment efforts, and improving workforce outcomes.
Speakers:
Andrew Zidel is the Associate Director of Workforce Partnerships at The Welcoming Center, where he leads employer engagement and strategic partnership development for manufacturing and skilled trades initiatives. In this leadership role, Andrew works to align employer needs and technical training pathways with a dedicated, (work-authorized) immigrant talent pool.
Chelsea Germak is a Senior Associate at Fragomen – the leading global immigration services firm worldwide. Based in Philadelphia, Chelsea is experienced in a wide array of nonimmigrant (e.g., H-1B, L-1, O-1) and immigrant (e.g., EB-1, NIW, PERM) business immigration matters. She has assisted clients of all sizes ranging from multinational corporations to start-ups across many industries including engineering, manufacturing, energy, IT, financial services, pharmaceuticals, health care, hospitality, and education.
