Year Up Inc.

MISSION: To close the opportunity divide by providing urban young adults with the skills, experience, and support that will empower them to reach their potential through professional careers and higher education. This is achieved through a high support, high expectation model that combines marketable job skills, stipends, apprenticeships, college credit, a behavior management system and several layers of support to place these young adults on a viable path to economic self-sufficiency. DESCRIPTION: Year Up is a one-year, intensive training program that provides urban young adults, ages 18-24, with a combination of hands-on skill development, college credits and corporate apprenticeships. During the first six months of the program, participants focus on skill mastery in one of two areas: 1) Desktop Support/IT Help Desk; 2) Investment Operations. Equal emphasis is placed on developing the professional skills required in today’s workplace such as effective communication, leadership and teamwork. During the second six months of the program, students are placed in apprenticeships with local partner companies. A stipend is provided to all participants throughout the one-year, full-time educational program. IMPACT: -100% placement of qualified students into apprenticeships -83% student retention -90% of apprenticeships meet or exceed partner expectations -87% of graduates placed in full- or part-time positions -$15/hr. average wage at placement