admin – SES

19Nov

Meet Our CEO: Abdishakur Mohamed – A Visionary Leader Driving Workforce Transformation

At the heart of Soma Employment Solutions is a leader whose vision, resilience, and commitment have reshaped the way workforce development addresses modern challenges. Abdishakur Mohamed, the Founder and CEO, has dedicated the last decade to building bridges between talent and opportunity, leaving an indelible mark on communities and industries alike. His leadership embodies the belief that inclusive growth isn’t just a goal but a responsibility.

A Leader Rooted in Purpose

Abdishakur’s journey into workforce development began with his deep passion for community empowerment and creating pathways for individuals to realize their potential. With expertise in human services and international studies, Abdishakur has blended academic insight with hands-on experience to tackle some of the most pressing workforce challenges of our time.

His leadership philosophy emphasizes innovation and collaboration. Abdishakur is a firm believer that meaningful change requires not just addressing problems but rethinking systems to create sustainable solutions. This philosophy has driven Soma Employment Solutions to become a trusted partner for organizations and individuals seeking impactful workforce strategies.

Collaborations That Drive Change

Under Abdishakur’s leadership, Soma Employment Solutions has forged meaningful partnerships with key governmental agencies, including the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Through these collaborations, Abdishakur has developed programs that connect individuals—especially New Americans and underrepresented communities—with employment opportunities while helping businesses build diverse, talented teams.

In addition to governmental partnerships, Abdishakur has worked closely with nonprofits like Midwest Roots MN, extending his impact into grassroots community efforts. These collaborations ensure that the support offered is accessible, relevant, and tailored to the unique needs of each individual and organization.

A Legacy of Recognition

Abdishakur’s transformative work has not gone unnoticed. Soma Employment Solutions has been the proud recipient of several prestigious awards, including the MoorHeart Award for its impact on job placements and workforce development, as well as the Workforce Excellence Award, which highlights the organization’s commitment to raising industry standards.

These accolades are more than just acknowledgments of success—they are testaments to Abdishakur’s relentless drive to create meaningful, lasting change.

Education as a Foundation

Abdishakur’s academic background in human services and international studies has provided the foundation for his work. By integrating global perspectives with local needs, he has developed innovative strategies that address workforce challenges from multiple angles. His expertise allows Soma Employment Solutions to deliver programs that are as forward-thinking as they are effective.

A Vision for the Future

What sets Abdishakur apart is his ability to look beyond immediate challenges to envision a future where workforce development is inclusive, equitable, and transformative. He sees every collaboration, every program, and every success story as a step toward a larger goal: creating systems that empower people, strengthen communities, and drive economic growth.

For Abdishakur, leadership is about more than achieving goals; it’s about inspiring others to dream bigger and achieve more. His ability to lead with empathy and purpose has made him a trusted voice in workforce development, sought after by organizations looking for bold and innovative leadership.

27Sep

Thank You for Making “Navigating the Workforce: Challenges and Opportunities for Immigrants in Minnesota” a Success!

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Thank You for Making “Navigating the Workforce: Challenges and Opportunities for Immigrants in Minnesota” a Success!

Yesterday, we had an incredible event filled with insightful discussions, powerful stories, and actionable solutions to support immigrant job seekers and businesses across Minnesota. We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended and contributed to this important conversation!

Special thanks to our amazing guest speakers for sharing their expertise and passion:

Abdishakur Mohamed, CEO & Founder of Soma Employment Solutions, inspired us with his personal journey and insights into bridging the gap between employers and immigrant workers. He emphasized how Minnesota’s workforce is promising and filled with opportunities.
Abdiwahab Mohamed, Assistant Commissioner for Immigrant and Refugee Affairs at DEED, provided invaluable information about the numerous state resources available to support immigrant and refugee communities.
Fernando Quijano, Extension Educator in Community Economics, delivered a compelling presentation illustrating the CES data, providing a visual analysis of Minnesota’s employment, wages, and hours worked.
Tyler Bradley, Founder & CEO of Fulfil, motivated us with his mission to connect individuals with resources for up-skilling and building generational wealth.
Ray McCoy, Program Coordinator for the Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF), discussed the importance of creating inclusive workplaces that support employees with diverse needs.

A huge shoutout to our incredible panelists:

Zaynab Mohamed, who is actively working on legislation that supports immigrant communities, brought valuable insights to our discussions.
Fuad Ali, Fartun Wehli, and Amin Harun offered diverse perspectives that enriched our discussions on fostering an inclusive workforce for all Minnesotans.

And a special thanks to our talented moderator, Abdurrahman Mahmud, who skillfully guided the panel discussions and ensured that every voice was heard, making the event even more impactful.

A heartfelt thank you to our MC, Abdullahi Farah, whose energy and charisma kept the event engaging and organized!

Swipe through some of the highlights from the event! We’re grateful to everyone who made this event possible, including our partners, volunteers, and of course, the vibrant community of attendees.

Together, we’re making strides toward a more inclusive and thriving workforce. We can’t wait to continue this journey with you all!

04Sep

Join us for our second Career Development Workshop!

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Are you ready to explore new opportunities, craft a standout resume, and build valuable connections? Don’t miss this chance to enhance your career prospects with Soma Employment Solutions!

???? Date: September 6, 2024
???? Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
???? Location: Karmel Mall, 4th Floor, Bolo Arosto, 2910 Pleasant Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408

???? Space is limited—Reserve your spot now!
???? Plus, enjoy lunch on us as you network and learn.

This workshop is sponsored by the East African Integration Center. Let’s work together to build a brighter future!

???? To RSVP or for more information, email us at info@somaemployment.com.

04Aug

1 Million Cups Fargo: Where Are They Now? series!

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Our CEO, Abdishakur Mohamed, was recently featured in Emerging Prairie’s “1 Million Cups Fargo: Where Are They Now?” series!

In the article, Abdishakur reflects on Soma Employment Solutions’ journey since speaking at 1 Million Cups Fargo. He discusses our company’s growth, including:

• Placing more refugees and immigrants in stable, well-paying jobs
• Strengthening partnerships with local businesses
• Expanding to a new office in Minneapolis, MN
• Launching a successful job training program

Abdishakur also shares valuable advice for future entrepreneurs and expresses gratitude for the Fargo/Moorhead community’s support.

We’re proud of our progress and thankful for the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of refugees and immigrants in our community.

Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g_tkB8T6

14Jul

Career Development Workshop

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Attention young professionals! ????‍????????‍????

Are you under 25 and looking to jumpstart your career? Don’t miss the Career Development Workshop organized by Soma Employment Solutions and sponsored by the East African Integration Center.

This interactive event will help you:
– Explore exciting career paths
– Craft compelling resumes
– Build valuable professional connections

Can’t register online? No problem – you can also email info@somaemployment.com to sign up.

Whether you’re employed, unemployed, or a student, this workshop has something for you. Take the first step towards finding your dream job!

12Feb

Recruitment trends 2020_ Win the talent war for New Americans in Minnesota and North Dakota

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Minnesota and North Dakota are categorized amongst the states which have strong economies and are ranked among top ten US regions which are actively creating jobs for both native and new Americans. Although the unemployment rate in the two states is less than 3%; however, US Bureau of Statistics has identified declining trend of Native American workers in recent years who are retiring rapidly. Therefore, businesses need to change their behavior and look forward to adopt unique employment solutions to attract immigrants or new Americans to fill the prevailing gap between the workforce demand and supply. A few solutions which businesses can adopt to attract new Americans to Minnesota and North Dakota are listed below:

Adopt Recruitment marketing to attract New Americans

Recruitment marketing is the top trend in 2020 where businesses are required to approach talent as their customers. Businesses can use three marketing funnel rules which include awareness, consideration and interest rather than getting indulged into traditional recruitment stages directly. Initially, building a positive perception of companies working in Minnesota and North Dakota among the New Americans for brand awareness can be vital. Furthermore, businesses can offer accommodation and competitive packages to the new Americans to encourage them to consider the opportunity. Lastly, advocating about career progression and job security can grab their interest to become vested in the prospect.

Social media presence

Since New Americans are an untapped market in the US; therefore recruiters can reach out to them directly through social media which is still underutilized for talent acquisition. Hootsuite report (2018) has identified that more than 68% of Americans have social media presence which includes Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn amongst which 90% have followed different businesses and are open to new opportunities. Recruiting managers can join different social media communities and groups facilitating New Americans in order to directly connect with them, grab their interest through regular job postings specifically preferring new Americans and attract them to start their careers in Minnesota and North Dakota. Since New Americans look forward to prove their skills in a new country, the response rate can be comparatively higher.

Hire a recruitment agency (RPO’s) for data driven talent acquisition

Another effective and the most recommended strategy for the businesses to attract new Americans is to hire local recruitment agencies which have a pre-built reputation in the market and streamline the entire recruitment process for their clients. Soma employment solutions is one of the top agency which is focused on new Americans’ employment in the states of Minnesota and North Dakota. The company is currently providing services to top notch businesses and has a well-established data base where the number of New American candidates is rapidly increasing every month due to enhanced applicant’s experience and high success rate. Recruitment companies like Soma employment invest in cutting edge technologies to provide customized solutions and automate the talent acquisition process along with employing data analytics interventions to devise recruitment strategies for your businesses with a focus on finding the top New American talent which best fits your business needs.

06Feb

Why Businesses Should Hire New Americans

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New Americans, non-natives or immigrants residing legally in the US, make up 17% of the nation’s workforce which highlights them as a key segment. Their contribution in businesses revitalization, tax revenue generation and filling in retiring occupations cannot be denied. Since the country is nearing demographic crossroads, businesses need to realize the vitality of hiring New Americans for economic growth, sustainability and competitiveness. Here are a few reasons justifying why businesses should hire New Americans:

Hiring New Americans bolsters global competitiveness

United States is recognized as the land enduring the most talented non-native New Americans. The competitor countries like Australia and Canada are on the verge to outcompete US by attracting non-native talent. In such case, US based business firms should consider hiring New Americans in order to retain the talent and sustain the global competitiveness. According to US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 30 such occupations which are forecasted to grow from 2014 to 2024 and includes the fields like personal care, health aids, nursing, software development, construction, maintenance and many more. Business firms need to utilize skills, knowledge and expertise of New Americans in order to cater the projected demand.

New Americans are economic contributors

New Americans fill in jobs which are significant for the sustainability of economy. According to US Bureau of Labor statistics (2018), the rate of labor force participation for non-natives is recorded to be 65.7% which is more than the participation rate of Native Americans and justifies the importance of their hiring for the US economy. Likewise, the contribution of non-natives as both tax payers and consumers is indispensable for the United States. The latest statistics have indicated that the spending power and tax contribution of immigrants legally residing in the US has reached to $9.4 billion and $4billion respectively. Businesses, now a days, need to realize that hiring new Americans specifically in the fields of professional services, manufacturing, wholesale trade and transportation is necessary for their economic progression and growth.

Workforce diversity, Adaptability and Resilience

Workforce diversity is the key to economic strength and success of businesses. In the prevailing competitiveness environment, hiring new Americans not only promotes diversity but also helps businesses to serve both locally and internationally. New Americans contribute through their effective multi-lingual skills. They have a different insight towards various business prospects and circumstances due to their prior cross-cultural knowledge and exposure. Besides that, they are adaptable to changing business environments, accept new challenges, work outside their comfort zone and are resilient to prove their worth in a new marketplace.

New Americans are innovative and result driven

New Americans are highly knowledgeable, skilled and innovative which is one of the reasons why most of the entrepreneurs and technology experts in Silicon Valley are non-natives immigrants or New Americans. Since the New Americans have a long way down the road to prove themselves in a new country like US, therefore, they are highly passionate and result oriented as compared to the Native Americans. It is also evidenced that among Fortune 500 companies, immigrants own 40% of them which authenticates the notion that New Americans fuel an environment of entrepreneurship.

New American fill the prevailing skills gap

US lacks highly skilled STEM professionals which creates a gap between the demand and available native talent. In order to compete globally, businesses can fill in this gap by hiring New Americans who are well versed in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The knowledge combined with international experience in a different culture opens up growth horizons for the US businesses to leverage the talent of foreign born and project competitive advantage of the.