Who is served: Economically disadvantaged young adults ages 18–24 

Number of participants served annually: 450+ 

Location: New York City  

Frequency/Duration: Monday–Friday, 6 months in training and coursework eligible for college credit, followed by a 6-month internship  

Eligibility Criteria: Must be 18–24 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED recipient 

Application process: Candidates apply online, attend info sessions, and then go through a series of interviews 

Curriculum: Software development with hands-on training in HTML, CSS, Java, Python 

Skill level: Entry-level 

Outcomes: Graduates secure full time employment or pursue post-secondary education. Participants receive 30 college credit hours to apply towards a degree 

Partnerships: American Express, Bank of America, BNY Mellon , Fidelity ,JP Morgan Chase, Morgan Stanley and New York Life 

Cost: Free, includes stipend 

Sources of funding: Over 60 percent of funding is generated through internship fees paid by participating companies  

What makes this program stand out? Year Up begins with students in training for 6 months followed by a 6-month internship with an employer partner. The program sets high expectations for work and professionalism, and includes a mix of technical classes like hardware repair and networking, and professional and communication classes such as business writing and negotiating. The soft skills training helps students position themselves in the workforce and navigate a tech focused career pathway. Throughout the program participants are partnered with a staff member who acts as an advisor/coach . 

“We’re always thinking about how to close the opportunity divide,” said executive director John Galante, who reports 90 percent of graduates are either working full time or enrolled in school.  

What do participants need to succeed? Year Up acknowledges the critical value of wraparound services for ensuring student success. Participants are supported by staff advisors, professional mentors, dedicated social services staff, and other community-based partners.  

What does the organization need? Continued corporate support as well as community and college partners.