SIIP’s New Name, Same Mission: Building Inclusive Communities Together
World Education Services (WES) is excited to announce a new name for the SIIP program, reflecting its growing impact and ongoing commitment to fostering inclusion and opportunity. Formerly standing for Skilled Immigrant Integration Program, SIIP will now stand for Strengthening Immigrant Inclusion Program. This change aligns with WES’ evolving strategy to support the educational, economic, and social inclusion of immigrants, refugees, and international students in the United States.
Since its launch in 2017, SIIP has partnered with more than 45 cities, regions, and states to advance the workforce inclusion of immigrants and refugees through localized solutions. These partnerships have highlighted the invaluable experience, skills, and contributions that immigrants and refugees bring to the U.S. workforce. For example, participation in SIIP helped Portland, Maine, strengthen its ability to connect local employers with immigrant talent. After the program year, the Office of Equal Opportunity hosted forums to showcase internationally trained workers’ potential and established an employer advisory board, paving the way for a dedicated employer hub. As we welcome our seventh SIIP cohort, this renaming represents an exciting milestone—an opportunity to honor the program’s impact and build on the recognition it has achieved within the workforce development sector.
Replacing “skilled” with “strengthening” in SIIP’s name reflects WES’ commitment to fostering the economic inclusion of all immigrants and refugees, while emphasizing SIIP’s dedication to supporting state and local partners in driving systems change. Additionally, replacing “integration” with “inclusion” underscores the value of all immigrants’ experiences and reinforces our mission to promote equitable access to opportunities that empower immigrants and refugees.
Since its inception, SIIP has cultivated a national network of partnerships among community-based organizations, educational institutions, and state and local governments. In Lincoln, Nebraska, for instance, SIIP facilitated a groundbreaking collaboration between city government, the business sector, and local nonprofits, creating a training and mentorship program specifically for internationally trained immigrants and refugees. These collaborations have helped develop, test, and scale innovative approaches to economic inclusion. As the program enters its eighth year, WES remains committed to strengthening immigrant inclusion and building inclusive economies for all.
Want to stay in the loop?
Sign up for our Newsletter. We’ll share updates, what we’re learning, and opportunities through our email list.
