Recent data from the Pew Charitable Trusts (Pew) shows that immigrants now make up 15.7% of Philadelphia’s population, the highest since the 1940s. This demographic shift has been crucial in reversing the city’s population decline and fueling labor force growth.
Similarly, according to Campus Philly, more than 20,000 international students enroll in colleges and universities in Greater Philadelphia each year, significantly impacting the local economy and representing a vital talent pool for regional employers.
Chamber’s Role: Champion and Convener Around Inclusive Hiring
The Chamber is dedicated to fostering equitable and inclusive economic growth, a key priority of our strategic plan, Chamber 2028: Amplify. Advocate. Grow.
The Chamber’s role in this work includes acting as a collaborator and convener by fostering partnerships with businesses, educational institutions, and workforce development organizations from throughout the region, and as an advocate for equitable policy.
This month, we interviewed Anuj Gupta, President and CEO of The Welcoming Center (TWC), a Chamber member and one of the region’s workforce development organizations dedicated to promoting and bolstering an inclusive workforce for Greater Philadelphia.
Read on to hear from Gupta about TWC’s role in providing economic opportunities for immigrants, addressing integration barriers, and understanding the positive impact of immigrant talent on our region.
Q&A with Anuj Gupta, President and CEO of The Welcoming Center
Q: What can Philadelphia leaders do to build on the momentum of the city’s population growth, particularly as it relates to immigrants?
Philadelphia leaders can continue to support policies and initiatives that promote inclusivity and provide resources for immigrants to thrive. This includes advocating for fair immigration policies, offering language and job training programs, and creating a welcoming community for all. The more we intentionally integrate immigrant talent into the workforce, the more Greater Philadelphia will stand as a beacon for others to come pursue opportunity.
Q: Employers don’t always know how to interpret skills and experience earned abroad. How can they navigate these applications?
Employers can benefit from partnering with organizations like The Welcoming Center that provide training on how to assess international qualifications and experience. Our Work Readiness team has the expertise and capacity to help employers understand a candidate’s qualification and background and we would be glad to work with area HR managers to coordinate support.
Q: How can companies partner with organizations supporting the immigrant community, like The Welcoming Center?
Companies can collaborate with The Welcoming Center and other organizations partnering in this work by participating in job fairs, offering internships, and providing mentorship programs. These partnerships help create a direct pathway for immigrant talent to enter the workforce and contribute to the local economy. Also, stay tuned, as The Welcoming Center is actively developing an employer partner network that also includes various ways to fulfill corporate social responsibility goals.
Q: What are some best practices for employers to confidently hire talent from different countries?
Best practices include providing cultural competency training for staff, offering flexible work arrangements, and ensuring a supportive onboarding process. Employers should also be open to learning about different cultural backgrounds and experiences to create an inclusive workplace.
Q: How does recent data from Pew’s reports on immigrants in Philadelphia highlight the critical role of immigration in our city’s population growth and economic development?
The data from Pew’s reports show that immigrants are essential to Philadelphia’s economic vitality. They are disproportionately contributing to the region’s labor force growth, educational attainment levels and business start-ups. Their diverse perspectives have also proven to unlock creativity and innovation within employers’ existing workforce. Hiring immigrant talent is a win-win for everyone.
The Chamber’s Greater Philadelphia Talent Network
Through our Talent work, the Chamber serves as a convener by providing timely and relevant labor market information, launching a multi-organizational talent referral network, holding employer gatherings focused on inclusive talent solutions, launching marketing campaigns concentrated on attracting key talent profiles, and retaining and developing the careers of our region’s young professionals. Visit our Talent Network webpage to learn more.
To learn more about the Chamber’s talent initiatives, contact Nikki Pumphrey, Vice President of Talent and Workforce, the Chamber, at npumphrey@chamberphl.com.
