These Companies Are Stepping Up To Hire Refugees

The United States takes in more refugees than any other country in the world—though that is likely to change when the new Trump administration takes over. In the middle of the largest displacement crisis in history, with 11 million Syrians alone fleeing violence, there will be a greater role for businesses to play.

In June, the White House launched a program called the “Partnership for Refugees.” Created with support from Accenture, among others, it calls for U.S.-based companies to pledge to assist with education, humanitarian-aid financing, and most crucially, job placement. By September, 51 companies had signed on. Some have vowed to hire refugees directly—joining a handful of companies, such as Chipotle and Starwood, who have already been working with resettlement agencies to do so.

Though the initiative was launched by the State Department, leadership was transferred on November 1 to the Tent Foundation, a private organization led by Chobani CEO Hamdi Ulukaya. No matter what the future brings, these companies will continue to work with those who have already made it to safe harbor.

Chobani

Pledge: Continue its current hiring practices: Nearly 30% of yogurt-factory employees are resettled refugees.

DSM

Pledge: Help refugees in the U.S. build language and cultural skills, and look for opportunities to hire them within the life-sciences and materials company.

Figure 8 Investment Strategies

Pledge: Assist refugees in obtaining financial certifications and jobs at its firm. Resettled refugees make up half the Idaho-based startup’s current workforce.