ORLANDO, Fla. — Every year, thousands of immigrants arrive in the United States with backgrounds in fields like engineering, medicine and nursing — only to face the reality of starting over in a new country.

The Hispanic Federation is helping those skilled professionals reclaim their careers by guiding them through the certification process in the United States. The organization’s Leadership Enhancement and Development (LEAD) program gives newcomers the tools to reenter their fields of expertise while contributing to the communities they now call home.

What You Need To Know

Leaders at the Hispanic Federation are giving new immigrants the tools to reenter their fields of expertise while contributing to the communities they now call home

With a regional office in Orlando, the group offers the Leadership Enhancement and Development program to help immigrants return to their professional careers

Participants commit to a one-year program, which includes resume workshops, certification guidance and job application support

Over the past two years, Hispanic Federation officials say the LEAD program has helped more than 100 individuals

One of those professionals is José Solorzano, a Venezuelan engineer whose journey brought him from mechanical maintenance work to a new life in the U.S. as an electrician.

“When you want something, you can start to reach who can help,” Solorzano said.

He moved to the U.S. in April 2022, leaving behind his career in Venezuela.

“April 15, almost four years,” he said.

Although he arrived with legal documents and engineering experience, U.S. industry standards required new certifications — particularly in specialized fields like heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and electrical work.

“I can use my documents here,” Solorzano said. “It’s legal for the United States. However, it’s a special activity, maintenance. I need special certifications about electricity, about HVAC.”

To get those certifications, Solorzano turned to the LEED program run by the Hispanic Federation, the largest Latino nonprofit umbrella organization in the country, which has a regional office in Orlando.

“And what we do with LEAD is take that experience, that knowledge that comes from our countries and put it into work here. That’s magical,” said Hispanic Federaion Florida state director Laudi Campo.

Participants commit to a one-year program, which includes resume workshops, certification guidance and job application support. English classes, both in group and one-on-one formats, are also offered as part of the curriculum.

“When you think about engineers, doctors and nurses and people that had those jobs in their countries and now they’re here doing over Amazon — which is great, is a job, but that knowledge, we’re trying to put it into the community,” Campo said.

The LEAD program also provides coaching on adapting to the U.S. professional environment.

“We train them in becoming professionals again in their fields and we train them through certifications, coaching on how to understand the how you work here, the professional environment in the U.S.,” said Freddie Agrait, the director for digital initiatives at the Hispanic Federation.

Over the past two years, the LEAD program has helped more than 100 individuals, including Solorzano. He took English classes and completed an electrical certification program, using his engineering foundation.

“It’s only a little hard, but it’s possible, OK? Because when you want some, you can start to reach who can help,” Solorzano said. “So in this way, I found the Hispanic Federation, for example. When I know them, I started to get a lot of information, and when you can read this information, you can get motivation to advance.” 

Now, Solorzano works weekdays as a supervisor for Adkins Electric, a company based in Jacksonville. On weekends, he does private remodeling work in Orlando while continuing his professional development.

“I am working hard to get all the resources that I need under law, and I make the best job that I can,” he said.

Solorzano said his motivation comes from a deep desire to build a better future for his family — and to give back to the community that gave him the opportunity to restart.

“We need to keep going, that’s it. Because you know if people are trusting you, it’s getting resources,” he said. “United States is getting resources, Hispanic Federation as well. We say, ‘OK I got everything that I need.’ The other part is on you, you need to keep going.”

Solorzano said his goal is to get fully certified, start his own company and help others walk the same path.

Professionals from all backgrounds can explore the Hispanic Federation’s certification programs on the organization’s website.