Maine employers urged to give immigrants a chance to prove themselves
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Around 70 people registered for last week's discussion about the New Mainer workforce in the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce's last Kegs & Issues event before the summer break.
Maine employers should give immigrants a chance to prove themselves, said panelists at a Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce event last week.
Around 70 people tuned in to Thursday's event, a Kegs & Issues panel discussion about integrating New Mainers into the workforce and more broadly about inclusion and equity in the workplace.
The discussion was moderated by Reza Jalali, an Iranian-born writer, educator and community organizer who serves as executive director of the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center.
Speaking from experience, Jalali noted that while immigrants add to the richness of any community with their skill, talent and creativity, they can seem invisible. He also said that immigrants are dreamers, coming to the United States to say goodbye to yesterday "with the believe that tomorrow is possible."
He underscored the need to change the narrative, noting that "we've got work to do" and that "if we love Maine ... we've got to invite our new neighbors to join us, we need to make room for us."
Jean-Pierre Akayezu, an instructor and program associate at Portland Adult Education's New Mainer Resource Center, spoke of how the center partners with Maine employers to develop tailored training for immigrants.
"All those programs are there to help New Mainers find themselves, and to boost their confidence," said Akayezu, who is originally from Rwanda.
Asked how employers can find qualified people to hire, Akayezu had the following recommendation: "Listen to them, give them a chance and they will prove what they can do."
He also suggested that employers think about developing programs such as computer training that will attract qualified individuals.
Orson Horchler, a local artist and president of Bondeko, a Portland-based social enterprise specializing in home renovations, said he hires mainly immigrants from francophone communities. Horchler is the son of a French-Moroccan mother and a Hungarian father.
While "intercultural" refers to the presence of one culture, he said, Horchler aims to create a "multicultural" team where each member can express an individual culture — and experience some level of culture shock. As an employer, he often takes on the role of big brother, which is not always easy.
"It's a balancing act that is constant work for any leader of an intercultural team," he said.
Looking at wider diversity issues, Margaret Brownlee, Maine College of Art's first diversity, equity and inclusion officer, said she struggles with the term "New Mainer" and thinks of it in much broader terms to also be gender-inclusive as well as multicultural.
"The list goes on," she said. Later, in response to a question about how employers can address racism, she said that in-house conversation, the work of DEI committees and other forms of internal awareness-raising are key.
Quincy Hentzel, CEO of the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce, told Mainebiz afterwards she was pleased with the turnout and discussion.
"My hope is that those participating learned a bit more about what diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace means as well as the importance of integrating immigrants into our workforce for our future success as a state," she said.
"The Portland Regional Chamber is passionate about both topics and is working collaboratively with the greater business community to bring about positive change."
A replay of the one-hour event is available here.
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