Projects and Research
Bridging the Gap: Training Needs Assessment of the Immigrant Workforce in Onondaga County, NY
Bridging the Gap provides a look at the magnitude and impact of immigration on the county’s labor supply. Qualitative data for the project were gathered through interviews of immigrants, employers, immigrant service organizations and workforce development specialists. The report discusses the different experiences of distinct groups of newcomers to the Syracuse labor market and the barriers that often thwart their chances for successful employment, the challenges employers face in trying to absorb these job-seekers, and the role played by service providers who help immigrants find work.
The report includes a set of practical recommendations for all stakeholders to promote stable jobs and economic assimilation for the foreign-born and productive and capable workers for local employers.
Funded by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) University Center at Cornell, the research project was undertaken in collaboration with the Onondaga County Office of Economic Development. WEID experts continue to work with the county to implement the report's recommendations.
