Transform Your Workforce: Immigration as a Growth Strategy

Happy New Year! As we embark on 2025, it’s important to celebrate the contributions of immigrants and refugees to Cincinnati's vibrant and growing workforce. Across industries, these talented individuals bring essential skills, fresh perspectives, and a remarkable work ethic that enrich our community and fuel our economic success.?

Nationwide, immigrants account for nearly 19% of the labor force despite making up just 14% of the population. Locally, their impact is even more pronounced. Immigrants are filling critical roles in sectors such as healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and hospitality. In fact, immigrant labor force participation rates consistently exceed those of native-born workers, with nearly 71% of working-age immigrants engaged in the U.S. workforce, compared to 65% of U.S.-born counterparts. Additionally, for the region to grow, we must retain and attract prime-age workers. Immigrants are more likely to be of working age than their US-born counterparts. This is important as we think of multiple strategies to grow our region.?

Beyond addressing labor shortages, immigrants elevate workplace innovation and diversity. They introduce new ideas, enhance cultural competence, and improve companies’ abilities to connect with global markets. Across the region, we see how immigrant entrepreneurs and employees alike drive businesses to new heights, boosting brand visibility and opening doors to untapped markets. From small businesses to major corporations, these contributions strengthen our region’s competitive edge.?

We at Cincinnati Compass are proud to collaborate with local businesses, community organizations, and educational institutions to support this vital workforce. Thanks to our partners, we’ve made strides in welcoming and empowering immigrants and refugees to succeed in our region.?

?As we look ahead, the Cincinnati region has an incredible opportunity to position itself as a top destination for immigrant talent and international students. Here are some key strategies for attracting and retaining this workforce:?

1. Expand Access to Resources: Invest in programs that provide immigrants and international talent with career services and mentorship/professional connections, housing, and social support.?

1. Enhance Inclusion: Promote workplace cultures of belonging that broaden understanding of diversity to include immigrant and international experiences; offer mentorship, leadership opportunities, and clear pathways to advancement for international talent.?

1. Streamline Processes: Simplify credential recognition and licensing for internationally-trained professionals through bridge programs and fast-track certification pathways; visa sponsorship, and work authorization processes to ensure talented individuals can contribute more efficiently.?

1. Build a working knowledge of immigration and work authorization pathways: Hold training for staff to understand work authorization and sponsorship, simplify the process of hiring internationally trained professionals, and partner with local organizations to ensure professionals have access to legal and immigration support.?

Cincinnati’s growth depends on our ability to foster an inclusive, thriving community where everyone has the chance to succeed. Thank you to our partners for helping make this vision a reality. Together, let’s continue to champion the immense value of immigrants and refugees in our city!?

We invite you to reach out to collaborate:?

· Learn: Want to build your capacity to attract and retain multilingual talent? Want to make sure your services reach immigrant and refugee communities? Are you trying to make sense of the changing immigration landscape? We are happy to work with you to build strategies for welcoming and supporting immigrant, refugee, and international student talent, connecting you to many providers across the region.?

· Volunteer: Support Cincinnati Compass or one of our many partners through volunteering. Are you a part of an ERG/ARG/BRG and looking to support community members in the region? Help a jobseeker connect to professional networks and gain career guidance. Mentor a small business. Help a newcomer connect to local communities and resources.

· Share stories of success:?Are you or do you know an entrepreneur adding vibrancy to a neighborhood business district; an international student who founded a company; a rising civic leader; or an employer who understands the value of hiring multilingual talent??

· Donate: Make a contribution to help us expand our programs in areas of civic engagement (Compass Community Council), workforce development (employer engagement and support of internationally trained professionals), and small business development (entrepreneur roundtable).

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IN THE COMMUNITY

2025 Lunar New Year Concert

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Join the Asian community in celebrating the 2025 Lunar New Year on Saturday, January 25 at the Memorial Hall. Presented by the Greater Cincinnati Chinese Music Society with additional sponsorship support from Asianati and Greater Cincinnati Chinese Cultural Exchange Association, the 2025 Lunar New Year concert features four internationally celebrated Chinese classical musicians and their unforgettable performances.

More questions? Please send an email to? [email protected]

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UPCOMING EVENTS

The ABC's of Hiring Our?Immigrants

?KY Career Center, 1324 Madison Ave., Covington, KY 41011 | 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.

There are thousands of legal immigrants in Greater Cincinnati, and many of them are ready and able to fill open jobs in all industry sectors. Join Bryan Wright, PhD of Cincinnati Compass, and?Mayra Jackson of Immigrant and Refugee Law Center to discuss the process of legally hiring immigrants. Topics?include visa statuses, documentation requirements, and recruitment/retention strategies to attract immigrants to your organization.

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Upcoming Events

Community Health Fair | February 22

NKY Health Department, 8001 Veterans Memorial Dr, Florence, KY 41042 | 9:30 a.m. - 2:00p.m.?

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English Language Learning Foundation’s 17th Annual Recognition Breakfast February 27

Northern Kentucky University Student Union, 20 Kenton Dr, Highland Heights, KY 41076 | 8 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

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International Community Festival & Concert | March 8

YWCA Hamilton | Spooky Nook Champion Mill Conference Center, 601 N B St, Hamilton, OH 45013 | Festival - 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Concert – 8 p.m.?

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513 Relief Bus Community Outreach | March 19

Forest Park Library, 660 Northland Blvd, Cincinnati, OH 45240?

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2025 RefugeeConnect Annual Fundraiser | March 28

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, 962 Mt Adams Cir., Cincinnati, OH 45202 | 5:30 p.m.?

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