Year Up's mission is 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.
What Year Up does
- Professional development . 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.
- College credit . Year Up students are dually enrolled in Year Up and a local college, and have an opportunity to earn up to 18 college credits during their program year.
- Corporate Apprenticeships. 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.
Why Blue Ridge Supports Year Up
By offering high-caliber training and meaningful opportunities to
disconnected youth, Year Up has the possibility:
- To offer a pathway to a promising career for those young people
who face severe obstacles in the labor market
- To inspire young people to pursue further education and
professional credentials to improve their economic prospects
