Bunker Hill Community College Hosts "Pathways to Success" Seminar
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Bunker Hill Community College hosted a seminar on June 12, 2012, that focused on the needs of immigrants who arrive in the United States with specialized education or established careers. The seminar featured a panel of experts who discussed ways in which immigrants can pursue further education, obtain professional licensing or certification, and find suitable employment. The event attracted more than 125 participants representing more than 30 countries.
The College partnered with World Education Services (WES) and the Community College Consortium for Immigrant Education to create the event, which was free and open to current and recent immigrant students and community residents. The seminar was developed in response to recent studies indicating that an estimated 2.7 million college-educated immigrants in the United States are unemployed or underemployed, according to BHCC's Executive Director for Workforce Development Les Warren, coordinator of the event.
Bunker Hill Community College currently offers a variety of English as a Second Language classes as well as educational and career resources that assist skilled immigrants throughout the Greater Boston area. BHCC's outreach to immigrants includes the Welcome Back Center, which helps foreign-trained nurses to become licensed in Massachusetts; the Community Center for Entrepreneurship, which provides services to entrepreneurs and prospective entrepreneurs, including many recent immigrants; and Community Education offerings that include English as a second language, certificate courses, career advice and cultural information.
World Education Services (www.wes.org) is an accredited non-profit organization with over thirty years’ experience evaluating international credentials so they are understood and fully recognized in the United States.
Community College Consortium for Immigrant Education (www.cccie.org) is a national network of community colleges, professional groups, and research organizations committed to expanding and strengthening programs and services for immigrant students at community colleges nationwide.
Media Contact:
About Bunker Hill Community College
With more than 50 years of academic excellence, Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) is one of Massachusetts' largest community colleges, serving approximately 16,000 students annually. With campuses in Charlestown and Chelsea, BHCC offers a broad range of educational opportunities throughout Greater Boston. BHCC fosters a welcoming and supportive learning environment for students by offering associate degrees and certificates, early college and dual enrollment, community education, corporate training, and industry-specific programs.