SISOLAK HELPING AFGHANS GET NEVADA “ESSENTIAL” JOBS

July 10, 2022

Rob Lauer Political Reporter

Governor Sisolak is working over time trying to get folks back to work after his shut down of “Non-essential” businesses. But he didn’t say Nevadans. According to a recent Sisolak press release, he’s working overtime trying to put Afghans to work in Nevada. Yep. You’ve been replaced with foreign labor right here in America.

Gov. Sisolak’s Press Release:

Nevada JobConnect and Northern Nevada International Center (NNIC) Helping Afghan newcomers settle in Nevada

CARSON CITY/LAS VEGAS, NV – Since late last year, 50 Afghan families arrived in Reno. They are newcomers displaced from the war in Afghanistan and many helped with U.S. military operations in their home country.  Northern Nevada has welcomed these families with open arms.

“I am pleased to know Nevada is partnering with nonprofits to welcome and assist Afghan newcomers coming to the Silver State.  We must never forget to be compassionate and be ready to provide assistance to individuals who come to our state to start a brand-new life,” said Governor Steve Sisolak.

In December 2021, representatives of Nevada JobConnect and Northern Nevada International Center (NNIC) met with the first group of 25 Afghan newcomers from the Afghan Placement and Assistance (APA) program. NNIC program manager Gladys Wilson, a Honduran immigrant herself, and her team of volunteers have helped many families transition to American life. Their capacity to unite people has helped them connect with the over 200 refugees who have settled in Nevada in the past four years.

One of the first goals of these partnerships was to get at least one adult per family stop-gap employment while they continue to learn English and overcome other barriers which those new to our country experience. NNIC has 90-days to get the Afghan newcomers situated with housing, jobs, legal documents, transportation, and Nevada JobConnect rose to the challenge of employment.

JobConnect hired Hamayun Azizi, a former teacher and HR Rep in Afghanistan as an Employment Assistant. He helps with translation and is vital to the work of finding good jobs for his fellow refugees.elped the U.S., and they can no longer live safely in their country. We are thrilled to be able to work with local businesses to ensure quality jobs for our new neighbors,” said John Parel, Reno JobConnect Manager.

As of January 2022, all 25 Afghans are employed with good-paying jobs that provide insurance, and benefits. Several companies have offered employment to the Afghan newcomers, even going as far as assisting with finding them housing close to the job site.

Of the 25 Afghans newcomers, six were able to speak English well and five-spoke some English. To work around the language barrier, JobConnect representatives divided them into teams with at least two English speakers per team. This ensured there was someone who could translate with each employer.

To date, 67 refugees have come into JobConnect for assistance and 52 have been placed in new careers.

Nevada JobConnect, NNIC and our partners look forward to helping future refugees and newcomers settle into their new lives in Nevada.

Job seekers can get one-on-one help with resumes, job referrals, and training by visiting their nearest JobConnect office.  Job seekers who are out of work or looking to change careers are encouraged to register with Nevada’s largest database of jobs at EmployNV.gov.