International Professionals Program (IPP)
Free career building program for Philadelphia immigrants who want help finding full-time work, preparing for job interviews, & connecting with employers.
Program Information:
IPP is a free, 8-week career training program for Philadelphia immigrants looking for full-time work.
What you learn:
- Resume writing
- Finding employers
- Applying for jobs
- Interview skills
- Building a professional network.
After training, participants continue working with our team for up to 6 months to receive career coaching and support connecting with employment opportunities.
All participants start with IPP career training. In the application, you will choose the pathway that best matches your goals.
Applicants who choose the Behavioral Health pathway (pathway 2) may also be considered for additional paid training and job opportunities through SPIN after completing IPP.
Pathway 1: Your Field or a Related Field
This is the general IPP pathway.
This pathway is for immigrants who have a degree, training, or professional experience from another country and want help finding work in their field or a related field.
Through IPP, participants receive support with:
- Resume writing and job applications
- Interview preparation
- Understanding the U.S. workplace
- Building a professional network
- Researching employers and career options
- Connecting with job opportunities
This pathway may be a good fit if you want to continue your career, return to your professional field, or explore a related job path in Philadelphia.
For immigrants with a degree, training, or professional experience from another country who want support finding work in their field or a related field.
Pathway 2: Human Services
This pathway is for immigrants interested in working in behavioral health, community support, social services, or employment services AFTER they complete IPP training.
For immigrants interested in paid training and career opportunities supporting children and families through ABA services and adults with autism and developmental disabilities in achieving employment goals.
All participants in this pathway first complete IPP career readiness training. After IPP, eligible participants may have the opportunity to transition into additional paid training and job opportunities with SPIN.
This pathway may be a good fit if you are interested in helping children, adults, families, or people with disabilities build skills, reach goals, and access support.
You must have a valid drivers license.
For immigrants interested in paid training and job opportunities supporting children, adults, families, or people with disabilities.
Requirements to join:
- You have a university degree or professional experience from another country
- You are looking for full-time employment
- You live in Philadelphia. This program is not open to residents of surrounding counties.
- You have U.S. work authorization
- You have an intermediate or higher English level
- Professional backgrounds in finance, business operations, human services, life sciences, and engineering are preferred
“I learned how to handle an interview and answer different types of questions the ‘American” way. That’s how The Welcoming Center helped me. I ended up with two incredible job offers related to my field”
-Amed Bamba, Former IPP Participant
More than 40% of the immigrants seeking our services have at least a college degree from their home countries. Many are unemployed or underemployed, working in low-wage jobs. This program is helping highly skilled immigrants actualize their full potential and informing the emerging field of skilled immigrant integration on a national level.
The Welcoming Center is one of only a handful of organizations in the U.S. addressing the issue of skilled immigrant integration, and IPP is the only program in the tri-state region of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. IPP is funded by Philadelphia Works Inc.