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SALT LAKE CITY — Tapping Utah's immigrant population — many with professional experience and advanced degrees from their countries of origin — has long been one prong of Utah's strategy to address the need for skilled labor.

State officials strive to make sure skilled workers from abroad with the required work authorization "have an opportunity to put those skills back to work (in a way) that can benefit Utah businesses and industries," said Natalie El-Deiry. She heads up the Utah Center for Global Talent and New Americans, which operates within the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity and helps integrate immigrants into the Utah workforce.

A new state-led survey finds many newcomers aren't working in their chosen fields due to a range of barriers in securing the necessary licensing, including lack of English-language proficiency, confusing application processes and more. Only 35% of respondents reported working full time, many outside their fields of expertise. Just 2% had applied for licensing in Utah to augment their job prospects.

"Many respondents are well-educated but need assistance to become proficient in English. Language continues to be a barrier to accessing talent and connections to industry for new Americans, specifically through the licensing application process," the study reads.

Coaching or training to help navigate the licensing process, the creation of dedicated employees to aid newcomers seeking Utah licenses, and English-language instruction geared to the vocabulary of specific industries would help reduce the barriers, the study concludes, noting that some changes are already being implemented.

A 2023 measure, for instance, SB35, gives several state departments authority to issue licenses to eligible immigrants who can show they have the requisite skills and experience. Likewise, state officials have reached out to immigrants with backgrounds in education to help bolster the workforce of teachers in Utah.

El-Deiry said the issue is particularly relevant in Utah, where there is low unemployment and fast-growing businesses and industries that need skilled workers.

"We are very fortunate ... to have such economic promise and we want to make sure that the talent needs can keep up," she said. Helping immigrants get the certification they need to work in their areas of expertise "is just one of many initiatives to kind of address the labor and the talent needs for Utah."

However, the effort is about more than just meeting the needs of business and industry. When the business sector thrives thanks to access to labor, she said, "it benefits a whole community of people as well." This creates financial stability among workers, spurring home ownership and more.

From medicine to construction

According to the study, 49% of respondents had a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree. Another 33% had a "professional degree" and 12% had vocational or technical training. The vast majority, 93%, came from Latin America, with 41% originally from Venezuela. Half said they now live in Utah, 20% lived in Florida and the rest came from several other U.S. states.

The immigration status of the survey respondents varied, with 21% marking the "other" category, 14% claiming temporary protected status with work authorization, and 14% preferring not to answer.

The survey included quotes from some respondents, including one who was a doctor in his or her home country. "Now I have only dedicated myself to work in restaurants and I would love to resume my professional career," the respondent wrote. Another doctor from Venezuela wrote that they are now working in construction "because it is the only good opportunity I have found."

Beyond measures like SB35, the study noted that the Utah Department of Commerce has boosted staffing to help eligible immigrants with licensing questions. It also touted the suggestions for change put forward by survey respondents, like more English-language learning opportunities, increased guidance for immigrants navigating the licensing process, creation of licensing exams in varied languages and more.

"These measures are crucial in facilitating the licensing process for internationally trained professionals and in tapping into the valuable talent pool of new Americans," it reads.

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Tim Vandenack

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Tim Vandenack covers immigration, multicultural issues and Northern Utah for KSL.com. He worked several years for the Standard-Examiner in Ogden and has lived and reported in Mexico, Chile and along the U.S.-Mexico border.