How Year Up United Aligns with Skills-Based Hiring
Employers across industries are reevaluating how they find and screen talent. Increasingly, organizations are realizing that a four-year degree is not the only indicator of potential. Skills-based hiring or evaluating candidates based on their capabilities rather than educational experience alone, is no longer a fringe approach.
For young adults entering the workforce, this shift doesn’t just create opportunity. It creates a need for job training that is practical, relevant, and designed to equip individuals with skills that translate directly to the workplace. Year Up United has spent more than two decades refining this approach.
A Training Model Built for Real World Demands
Year Up United’s job training program Career Pathways goes beyond broad or basic concepts. It provides students with specialized instruction, tailored to industries where employers face significant hiring gaps. Among fields like banking, customer success, information technology, business operations, and software development, our curriculum blends technical learning with the professional skills needed for young adults to be prepared for the job market.
This balance of knowledge and workplace readiness has real results. Graduates enter the workforce prepared to contribute from day one with access to roles that offer genuine career mobility.
Connecting Talent and Opportunity
Technical skills don’t open doors alone; young adults need a clear path to employers who value them. Year Up United bridges this gap through a network of partnerships with more than 250 leading companies nationwide. By combining industry-specific training with direct placement services and access to internship opportunities, Year Up United ensures that participants are not only trained but have access to organizations actively seeking their abilities.
Through programs such as Career Pathways, YUPRO Placement, and Talent Networks, Year Up United connects untapped talent with businesses embracing skills-first strategies. These initiatives provide candidates with professional coaching, mentorship, and continued support well beyond initial placement, helping them build lasting careers rather than temporary jobs.
Preparing for a Future Shaped by Skills-First Hiring
The movement toward skills-based hiring is not a passing trend. More and more, employers are finding that evaluating individuals on their capabilities, not just academic experience, yields real benefits. Research indicates that 76% of organizations now adopt some form of skills-based hiring, with more than half using skills-based assessments to expedite recruitment, improve retention, and foster more inclusive workplaces.
Year Up United’s model was created with this in mind. By emphasizing practical skill development, industry exposure, and career placement support, we help young adults navigate a rapidly evolving job market.
Our alumni continue to prove the impact of this approach. Maygan Hooper, a Year Up United graduate of the information technology track, earned an internship opportunity at Sony Interactive Entertainment, a program partner, where she honed her capabilities in Python and automated testing. And with Year Up United’s guidance and mentorship, she was able to transform that internship into a position as a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET).
A Proven Path to Economic Mobility
For young adults deciding how to invest their time and energy, the abundance of career development options can be overwhelming. Year Up United’s track record offers clarity. With over 50,000 students supported and the largest wage gains recorded by any U.S. workforce development organization, Year Up United has shown that structured, skills-focused preparation leads to meaningful results.
Graduates of Year Up United earn an average starting salary of $53,000, and 80% are employed or enrolled in postsecondary education within four months of completing the program. These outcomes demonstrate not only the value of technical and professional training but also the strength of Year Up United’s employer network and placement support.
Our alumni community is living proof that these opportunities lead to lasting change. Many continue advancing in their careers, shaping workplace culture, and supporting the next generation through mentorship and advocacy. With a network of over 30,000 alumni, Year Up United graduates' benefit from connections that extend far beyond their first job.
We believe young adults should never enter the workforce feeling lost. That is why Year Up United’s Career Pathways program combines practical training with career guidance and resources, ensuring every participant has the skills and confidence to take their next step in a world that values skills above titles.
If you are ready to develop in-demand skills, gain valuable experience, and connect with employers who recognize your potential, consider applying to Year Up United’s Career Pathways program today.