Recap: Immigrant Workers Matter The Critical Importance of Investing in Vocational ESOL

On Tuesday, September 16, SkillWorks hosted a forum at the Boston Foundation on the critical importance of investing in vocational English for Speakers of Other Languages, more commonly known as ESOL. The event featured researchers, policymakers, and practitioners discussing the opportunities and challenges in expanding access to vocational English for Speakers of Other Languages. 

Opening the forum, SkillWorks Executive Director Andre Green defined vocational ESOL, saying, “The idea is simple. We want immigrants who want to learn English to learn English. But in particular, we want workers and residents who want to learn English in order to thrive in their jobs and develop their careers to have the English they need to do so.” 

Secretary Lauren Jones from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development followed by explaining the state’s role in ESOL. She explained that the administration’s 2024 workforce agenda is guided by the principle of focusing on “our people” to attract, retain, and develop talent. She described vocational ESOL as a “game changer,” noting its effectiveness lies in connecting language learning directly to vocational education and in-demand jobs. 

Matt Brewster, Principal at P2 Advisors, presented data on the return on investment for ESOL programs. His analysis, based on a proposed $45 million investment to serve 10,000 students over three years, showed that each one-level increase in English proficiency results in an average 24 percent wage increase. Over 15 years, this model could generate an additional $1.3 billion in wages. 

Next, Amy Nishman, Senior Vice President of Strategy, and Vic Acosta, Director of English for Advancement, Refugee and Disability Services, of JVS Boston discussed challenges in implementation. They pointed to fragmented funding streams and differing metrics between education and workforce agencies as major barriers. They emphasized that immigrant workers, who make up 20 percent of Massachusetts’ workforce, are an “amazing asset,” yet many remain underemployed due to limited English proficiency and professional credentials. 

A panel discussion, moderated by Liz Sweet, Executive Director of the MIRA Coalition, featured insights from Emanuel Owusu, Founding Executive Director of African Bridge Network; Wyvonne Stevens-Carter,  Associate Commissioner of Adult and Community Learning Services for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; and Tonja Mettlach, Executive Vice President of Massachusetts Business Roundtable. 

Panelists highlighted successful vocational ESOL models across the Commonwealth. Owusu praised programs such as Holyoke Community College’s accelerated English program for immigrant professionals, which provides contextualized, virtual instruction. Stevens-Carter noted that the state funds 35 contextualized education programs spanning industries from health care and manufacturing to IT, welding, and wastewater operations. Mettlach pointed to New Balance’s partnership with Northern Essex Community College, which offered on-site ESOL training across shifts for manufacturing team leaders, funded through the Workforce Training Fund. The program both advanced employees’ careers and demonstrated employer investment. 

Closing the forum, Marty Martinez, President and CEO of United Way of Massachusetts Bay, stressed that the ultimate goal is “creating opportunities for people to be empowered, for people to reach the full potential of what they can actually do to support themselves and their families.”