Year Up United has developed innovative program models to iterate on our proven approach and to advance our strategic priorities. We are expanding our accelerated Banking and Customer Success program to 20 Boston-area students in October 2024, with the goal of serving 40 students annually. This program was designed as a solution based on feedback from participants, staff, and corporate partners to deliver a more consistent and shortened training for jobs in this track.

In our centralized accelerated Banking and Customer Success program, just like the year-long program in downtown Boston, students first participate in Learning and Development, where they gain technical, business, and interpersonal skills aligned with in-demand, middle-skill roles. Students receive an educational stipend, and we offer opportunities to acquire industry-recognized credentials and certifications. These three months of classroom training are led by Year Up staff, with a focus on foundational customer success training and internship-specific training towards the end of the program (e.g., public speaking and role-playing exercises). This training is primarily virtual, with two opportunities for local Boston students to connect in-person.

Students in Boston are enrolled alongside participants at 15+ other Year Up sites across the country. This allows them to learn from a wider group of peers, and also ensures consistency for corporate partners who host interns across several regions.

Upon completion of the training phase, students enter a work-based experience at a leading local employer, such as Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase. By the end of their work placements, many students convert their role into a full-time opportunity at their companies, and all earn marketable experience that bolsters their resumes, builds their networks, and increases their access to living-wage jobs.

Throughout the program, we provide wraparound support services to ensure students’ success and progression despite external challenges they may be facing. We recognize that many students are presented with responsibilities and barriers that could impede their participation and interfere with securing employment. In response, we provide resources to balance personal demands and the rigors of the program. This includes but is not limited to: a Student Services team of social workers, available financial assistance as needs arise, mental health supports and referrals, and a network of community-based organizations and providers.

Our support continues post-graduation, with a dedicated Career Services team that assists with job searching and placement. All graduates will join the National Alumni Association, a community of more than 27,200 alumni nationally, and 4,200 locally in YUGB, who provide lifelong access to career and academic advising, networking, employment assistance, and more. We also offer ongoing support for alumni through YUPRO (Year Up United Professional Placement, PBC), our employment placement agency. By providing a comprehensive suite of supports both during and after our programs, Year Up United ensures graduates find meaningful employment with living wages and career growth pathways.