State of Colorado Taps English Upskilling Pioneer to Unlock Potential of Fast-Growing Immigrant Workforce
EnGen will deliver career-aligned English training programs statewide in collaboration with Colorado’s Office of New Americans to address worker shortages in critical sectors, including healthcare, construction, and manufacturing . Colorado employers interested in learning more about EnGen and this opportunity for free on-site English upskilling can register for an informational webinar on May 17 at 12:30pm MT.
DENVER, CO (May 4, 2023) – EnGen, the pioneering creator of real-world, real-time English language training, today announced its selection by the Colorado Office of New Americans (ONA) to launch an ambitious new initiative designed to unlock the potential of the state’s nearly 520,000 workers from immigrant and refugee backgrounds. Colorado’s Virtual Career-Aligned English as a Second Language (VCESL) program, launched earlier this year, upskills incumbent workers and addresses critical staffing shortages. As part of the VCESL program, EnGen will offer workplace-based learning solutions to tens of thousands of employers in Colorado, with a focus on tailored support for small and medium-sized businesses that are struggling to attract and retain local talent.
"I am thrilled about Colorado’s VCESL Program," said Dee Daniels Scriven, director of the Colorado Office of New Americans. "Not only will it upskill English Language Learners (ELLs) and expand the talent pool for Colorado’s workforce, but it will provide many New Americans with the ability to gain the English skills they need to compete for better opportunities. It will also help prevent brain waste and help ELLs acquire the English they need to be able to showcase their talent and skill. The VCESL program is a win/win for Colorado’s workforce and for New Americans."
Currently, one in eight Colorado workers is an immigrant or a refugee. These individuals have in-demand skills that are vital to Colorado’s economic growth, but they’re often boxed out of job opportunities because employers lack the resources to invest in English instruction or upskilling.
Although immigrants and their U.S. born children are poised to drive 97% of net U.S. workforce growth by 2030, only 4% of adult English learners have access to instruction. A certified B corp, EnGen’s adaptive, mobile first platform offers a solution that can be scaled to meet statewide workforce needs.
“Access to EnGen has been a career catalyst for our students, accelerating their progress on pathways towards opportunities in healthcare, manufacturing, and hospitality – industries that are foundational to Colorado’s economy. EnGen’s platform seamlessly integrates both English skills and career skills, and offers them on-demand - it’s an ideal fit for adult learners who are juggling work, school, and family responsibilities,” said Delta Donohue, ESL Program Director at Community College Denver, an EnGen partner since 2021. “We’ve seen EnGen’s impact on our campus – and know that offering it at scale has the potential to transform lives and livelihoods across our state.”
Under the terms of the VCESL partnership, EnGen will develop at least six new learning pathways that respond to Colorado’s labor needs and ensure that aspiring workers can access opportunities in Colorado’s most in-demand sectors.
“Colorado is leading the nation by embracing technology that allows for career-aligned, relevant training at a scale. It's addressing the needs of employers, while helping workers develop the English skills they need to succeed on the job, and build a foundation for long-term economic mobility,” said Dr. Katie Brown, founder and chief education officer at EnGen.
A recent survey of EnGen learners showed that 95% improved their confidence in communicating in English as a result of using the platform; 92% improved their average English proficiency scores on an objective assessment. A full 87% achieved a career or social goal, like a pay raise, promotion, or civic engagement.
Colorado employers interested in learning more about EnGen and the VCESL program can register for an informational webinar on May 17 at 12:30pm MT.
To learn more about how EnGen can advance economic inclusion and mobility in your state, please visit https://getengen.com.
EnGen is a Certified B Corporation that delivers personalized, contextualized, mobile-first English language upskilling to immigrants, refugees, and speakers of other languages across the U.S. Using patented technology that has served over 4 million language learners worldwide, EnGen is powered by real-world, career-aligned content and coaching. The platform’s science-based, sector-specific approach is proven to help adult learners – internationally trained professionals and those with limited formal education – meet their educational and employment goals in high-demand fields. Working with Fortune 500 companies, regional employers, higher education, apprenticeship programs, and government institutions, EnGen is advancing economic mobility, workforce inclusion, and talent pipeline development at the scale needed to serve both New American workers and the U.S. labor force. Learn more at getengen.com.
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