WORCESTER, Mass. – A new report from the UMass Donahue Institute looks at how Massachusetts can help better connect immigrants to jobs.

The report found there are several ways employers can engage with skilled immigrants to help them feel more comfortable when looking for jobs.

Ember Skye Kane-Lee, research manager and the report’s principal author, refers to the term "brain waste," which she said is when people immigrate to the United States with higher education degrees, but don't put them to use because they can't find a job.

She said hiring immigrants will not only benefit companies, but the entire economy.

“Employers, HR departments and the job application itself, that entire process can actually create additional barriers for skilled immigrants seeking employment,” said Kane-Lee. “And much of the hesitation in hiring and working with this population on the employer side comes from knowledge gaps around processes involved with this population. Hiring departments may not necessarily understand that hiring norms are different outside of the U.S., and could easily end up favoring applications that contain the types of descriptions, resume formatting and even educational background and work experience that are more familiar to U.S. employers."

The UMass Donahue Institute worked with the African Bridge Network, which works with immigrants struggling to find jobs in an appropriate field.

They also offer a three-month paid fellowship.