Recredentialing Pathways for Internationally Trained Professionals

Minnesota is home to many New American learners. These multilingual workers and students bring a wealth of learning acquired through work plus life experience and international credentials. Unfortunately, there is often not a clear path for international credentials to be recognized by Minnesota educational institutions or employers. For this reason, New American professionals many times end up working in entry level positions, not able to share the considerable expertise and experience earned in another country with their community in Minnesota. Many struggle to find employment with a family-sustaining wage. If they decide to pursue similar credentials here in Minnesota at a postsecondary institution, they must often complete duplicative coursework to fill general education and major requirements for their degree programs.

At a time when our communities could benefit from their skills, we want to help connect New Americans to a career pathway that builds on their past education and work experience. To meet this need, the Office of New Americans is launching the Recredentialing Pathways Pilot to help New Americans receive credit for prior learning. This pilot is a partnership between the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Minn State Colleges and Universities, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and Adult Basic Education through the Minnesota Department of Education, the Minnesota Department of Human Services Resettlement Programs Office and the International Institute of Minnesota

In late 2025, the pilot will begin accepting applications from internationally trained professionals across Minnesota seeking credit for prior learning, with a focus on college credentials but potentially also comprehensive workforce credentials.

Eligible participants are internationally trained professionals who are 18 years old or older who want to reconnect to one of the following career pathways: health care, engineering, education or information technology, and are income eligible.

The pilot is slated to enroll no fewer than 50 participants in the fall of 2025. ONA is working closely with the Adult Career Pathways team in DEED's Employment and Training Programs Division on training and support funding options for participants who are eligible and enrolled.

• RELATED DOCUMENTS COMING SOON

Educator and Service Provider Resource Guide

To ensure that internationally trained immigrants can access the educational pathways and resources they need to succeed, the Office of New Americans and our partners are working to address some of the challenges identified by students who navigate the complex landscape of credit, noncredit and workforce development programs. The resource guide will equip service providers and Adult Basic Education staff, as well as Minnesota State faculty, staff and advisors with the knowledge and strategies needed to better guide New American students through workforce development programs and services. This guide is focused primarily on how credentials earned outside the United States can be recognized by Minnesota educational institutions. The resource guide will be posted on this page when it is completed, with a target date of December 1.

• Link to Educator and Service Provider Resource Guide – COMING SOON