Economic Growth United States Project #61765

Career Pathways for Refugees

by Teach by Tech, Inc.

Project Report | Mar 21, 2026
Project Report March 2026

By Linnie Pawlek | Executive Director

Teach by Tech has continued to expand its impact in the Denver metro area by equipping adult refugees and immigrants with the skills needed to access stable, living-wage careers. Through our integrated workforce development model, we have focused on two core pillars: Digital Literacy training and our Construction Pathways program. These initiatives address systemic barriers such as limited access to technology, underemployment, and lack of credential recognition.

Expanding Digital Literacy Training

Digital access and skills remain foundational to economic mobility. During this period, Teach by Tech:

Delivered hands-on digital literacy training to adult learners across multiple sites and through our mobile digital lab
Helped participants build essential skills including:

o Computer fundamentals

o Online job applications

o Resume development and digital communication

Continued integration of Northstar Digital Literacy assessments, enabling learners to earn recognized credentials that validate their skills

As a result, participants reported increased confidence in navigating technology, applying for jobs online, and accessing critical services such as healthcare, education, and banking.

Growth of the Construction Pathways Program

Teach by Tech’s Construction Pathways program has emerged as a high-impact workforce solution for adult learners seeking careers in the skilled trades.

Key accomplishments include:

Successfully operating a construction pre-apprenticeship program tailored for English language learners
Delivering industry-aligned training using NCCER-certified curriculum, ensuring participants gain recognized, transferable skills
Supporting participants in earning safety certifications and foundational construction competencies
Launching hands-on learning opportunities that combine technical training with real-world application

This program provides a critical bridge to re-enter the workforce in meaningful roles within the U.S. construction industry.

Impact on Participants

Through these initiatives, Teach by Tech has:

Increased access to living-wage career pathways for underserved populations
Reduced barriers related to language, technology, and credential recognition
Supported learners in transitioning from unemployment or low-wage work into career-track opportunities
Strengthened participants’ confidence, independence, and long-term economic stability

Participants are not only gaining skills, they are rebuilding careers, supporting their families, and contributing to the local economy.

Looking Ahead

Teach by Tech is building on this momentum by:

Designing a registered apprenticeship program in carpentry, with a targeted launch in late 2026
Expanding employer partnerships to create stronger pipelines from training to employment
Scaling digital literacy programming to reach more learners across the metro area

We are deeply grateful to our GlobalGiving supporters for making this work possible. Your investment is directly empowering individuals to gain skills, secure employment, and build brighter futures for themselves and their families.

With continued support, Teach by Tech can expand its reach and deepen its impact. Together, we can ensure that all individuals regardless of background have access to the tools and opportunities needed to thrive in today’s workforce.

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Nov 7, 2025
November 2025 report

By Linnie Pawlek | Executive Director

Dear Friend,

Thank you so much for your continued support of Teach by Tech programs. Our Career Pathways for Refugees initiative empowers adult refugees and immigrants in the Denver metro area to gain industry-recognized skills and secure meaningful employment in Colorado’s growing workforce sectors. The program bridges the gap between language learning, digital inclusion, and vocational training providing a holistic approach to economic mobility.

Our goal is to prepare participants for stable, family-sustaining careers through a combination of digital literacy, English language learning, and hands-on pre-apprenticeship training in high-demand industries like construction and technology support.

Participants received training across two primary learning tracks:

1. Digital Literacy and Workforce Readiness

Basic and intermediate computer skills (Google Suite, email, online applications)
Digital communication
Resume building and job search strategies
Online job applications
Introduction to workplace technology

2. Construction Career Pathways

OSHA-10 safety certification and site safety principles
Introduction to carpentry, framing, and basic electrical systems
Hand and power tool identification and safe usage
Measurement, blueprint reading, and construction math
Soft skills for workplace success: teamwork, punctuality, and communication

Beyond technical skills, participants gain confidence, self-sufficiency, and community connection. By integrating English language learning and cultural competency into each training, Teach by Tech ensures that refugees and immigrants are not just workforce-ready, but community-ready.

Your support through GlobalGiving is transforming lives and creating a stronger, more inclusive Colorado workforce. Every dollar helps refugees and immigrants gain the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to thrive.

Together, we are building pathways to stability, dignity, and success.

Links:

website

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Jul 14, 2025
July 2025

By Linnie Pawlek | Executive Director

Dear Friend,

Teach by Tech’s Career Pathways for Refugees initiative empowers adult refugees and immigrants across the Greater Denver area by offering accessible, culturally responsive workforce development programs. Through targeted computer classes, digital inclusion strategies, and the Construction Pathways Program, we equip learners with the tools to navigate the U.S. job market, pursue family-sustaining careers, and participate more fully in the digital economy.

We are deeply grateful to our community partners, donors, volunteers, and funders whose generous support fuels our mission and makes this work possible. Together, we are building pathways to opportunity.

Teach by Tech’s digital literacy programming serves as a foundation for economic mobility and self-sufficiency. Through multilingual and level-based instruction, we provide adult learners with the practical computer skills needed to access education, employment, and services. In 2025, we have served over 100 individuals and provided access to essential digital tools.

Our NCCER-accredited pre-apprenticeship program continues to expand. We have gradutaed three cohorts in 2025, training English language learners for safe, skilled, and stable careers in construction. We are especially thankful to Mile High Workshop for sharing space, and to our employment partners who welcomed our learners into their worksites.

Teach by Tech continues to grow as a bridge-builder in the refugee and immigrant workforce ecosystem. Our programs offer much more than technical training—they restore dignity, create economic possibility, and support the development of community-led leadership.

Thank you for being part of this journey toward greater equity, opportunity, and community empowerment.

Warm regards,

Linnie Pawlek

Links:

https://www.teachbytech.org/

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