The program, which was launched in February 2016, expanded from Sweden to Canada in a matter of months and is now coming for a debut in the US
The employment-oriented social networking platform LinkedIn recently announced the launch of its existing program called "Welcome Talent" in the US, through which it intends to help refugees find internships in the country. "
While we can't control policies around entry of refugees into countries, we can lead with opportunity and help newly settled refugees find economic livelihood," said the company in a blog post.
The program, which was launched in February 2016, expanded from Sweden to Canada in a matter of months and is now coming for a debut in the US, in partnership with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), this week.
As a part of the announcement on Sunday, Meg Garlinghouse, LinkedIn's head of social good, added by saying that America was built in large part by the work of immigrants and their descendants and like the citizens' foremothers and forefathers, refugees are seeking that same opportunity to contribute.
The professional social networking company plans to assist the IRC in implementing "economic empowerment programs in its thirty US offices", so that refugees can get the training and tools needed to find a job they love and support their families, reports VentureBeat.
LinkedIn's announcement came after massive protests erupted nationwide in response to Trump's Executive Order temporarily barring immigrants, refugees, and those with green cards from entering the US. The Microsoft-owned business, by this action, has joined a growing list of companies that have condemned the White House's action and/or taken direct action in support of their employees.
Citing success from the Welcome Talent pilot, Garlinghouse said that LinkedIn can benefit refugees. In Sweden, the company partnered with fifty companies to help approximately 2,000 refugees. In its second expansion, LinkedIn teamed up with the Refugee Career Jumpstart Project, COSTI, and the government agency Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).