Celebrating 25 Years of Reworking the Future
Closing the Opportunity Divide for Good
For 25 years, Year Up United has been leading the way in reworking the future — creating a corporate America that works for everyone, not just a select few.
Throughout our history, we’ve had a profound impact, delivering the largest wage gains of any workforce organization to date and enabling companies to adopt a skills-first approach, prioritizing skills, not just degrees.
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As our impact has grown, so has our vision. We're reimagining what’s possible for individual futures, while reworking the systems that shape them — expanding economic opportunity for generations to come.
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And our work is not done. We will continue to build upon our proven success to deliver solutions that empower young people, transform businesses, and drive lasting societal change. United, we will keep advancing our mission of closing the Opportunity Divide — for good.
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A Reflection From Our CEO & President
“It has been a joy to research and reflect on our organization’s journey. Our story is both a celebration and a commitment. It honors how far we’ve come and sets our sights on what comes next: building a future where all young adults have a real opportunity to thrive.”
Ellen McClain l ll CEO & President, Year Up United
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A Foundation of Proven Impact
Since 2000, Year Up United's Career Pathways has empowered more than 50,000 young adults to unlock doors once closed to them — demonstrating that when talent and opportunity connect, incredible things happen.
50,000+
participants served to date
20+
markets served
30%
wage gain at 6 years post-graduation
$53K
average starting salary for Career Pathways graduates
13,500+
interns converted to full-time roles at the same company
Year Up United Impact Report
25th Anniversary Edition
For 25 years, Year Up United has been committed to closing the Opportunity Divide – the divide that exists between corporate hiring demand and untapped talent. Explore highlights from our 25-year history – and our vision for the future in the 25th Anniversary Edition of our Impact Report.
A Journey of Reworking the Future
2000–2004:
Laying the Foundation
Year Up United is founded in Boston, MA in 2000. In 2001, the program enrolls the first cohort of 22 young adults. By 2004, Year Up United has served over 250 participants, demonstrating the potential and success of skills-first talent practices.
2005–2009:
Expanding Our Influence
As growing economic challenges in the country increase awareness of the need for alternative pathways to careers, Year Up United expands into five new markets. A feature on NewsHour with Jim Lehrer in 2008 and President Barack Obama’s 2009 visit to Year Up United highlighted its role in addressing systemic inequities.
2010–2014:
Proving the Model
In response to the post-recession job market in which employers faced increased difficulty filling roles, Year Up United scales its reach and impact, partnering with over 250 leading corporations and serving more than 10,000 participants by 2014. Additionally, in 2014, Year Up United launches Grads of Life and YUPRO Placement to further address the needs of employers and untapped talent, advocating for skills-first talent strategies as a viable solution.
2015–2019:
Advancing Workforce Equity
With historically low unemployment in 2018–2019, employers face pressure to broaden their hiring pools. Year Up United expands into seven new markets and deepens its alumni engagement efforts. The 2017 Dismissed by Degrees report, co-authored by Grads of Life, Harvard Business School, and Accenture, highlights the economic costs of degree inflation, strengthening the case for skills-first hiring practices.
2020–2024:
Measuring Our Impact
The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges that disproportionately affected low-income and underrepresented communities. During these years, Year Up United became even more essential as many looked for ways to access economic opportunity. The 2022 update to the federally sponsored Pathways for Advancing Careers and Education (PACE) evaluation study provided further evidence of the program's unparalleled positive impact.
2025 & Beyond:
Closing the Opportunity Divide
By 2025, Year Up United has served over 50,000 participants, marking a major milestone for the organization. As the skills-first movement continues to expand, Year Up United remains committed to its founding principle that talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not. Creating the workforce of the future goes beyond hiring talent from historically excluded backgrounds—it requires fostering environments where untapped talent feel valued, supported, and have a true sense of belonging.
A Powerful Opportunity Network
Closing the Opportunity Divide requires more than one person and more than one solution. Together, Career Pathways, Talent Networks, YUPRO Placement, Grads of Life, and our Alumni network offer holistic end-to-end solutions, tailored to meet the needs of talent, businesses, and communities.
1,500+
companies have hosted Career Pathways' interns
33,000+
powerful network of Alumni effecting change
2,700+
talent placements made by YUPRO Placement
10+
community colleges partnering with Talent Networks
200+
employers impacted by partnering with Grads of Life