In February 2023, the Chamber and Detroit Promise partnered with Year Up and Henry Ford College to launch a regional pilot to provide professional skills training and match young professionals to corporate internships at top consumer banking and financial services employers.
The pilot program offered paid training and a three-month corporate internship with JPMorgan Chase & Co. or Bank of America. Of the 30 students participating in this first cohort, 90% were retained, and 50% converted to full-time employment. Thirteen of the 30 students participating in the pilot are Detroit Promise recipients, with eight (62%) now employed with their intern placement. The Chamber is thrilled to have connected these students to job and internship opportunities in the Detroit Region.
While these numbers are impressive, the real success is the impact made on the students. Year Up has helped provide students in the Detroit Region with the skills needed to start a meaningful career and the confidence to succeed. Many students who experienced imposter syndrome when they started the program now speak with confidence and authority.
“My involvement with Year Up Detroit was fruitful. I was able to expand my knowledge of finance and demonstrate my proficiency in business administration. Year Up Detroit changed the way I thought about time management, relationship building, and resume-building,” said Chanelle Greer, Detroit Promise student and alumna of the inaugural Year Up cohort. “I joined Year Up Detroit as a 24-year-old and already feel very successful. I urge everyone who is at least 18 years old to enroll in this program to explore more career opportunities and personal development.”
The program made an impact on employers, as well. Participating companies reported a 100% satisfaction rate with their internship experience and the students who worked with them. Many of these Bank of America internships also turned into permanent jobs.
Hamida Khachab, a Financial Center Manager at Bank of America, described Year Up as a great program and shared that her intern “is always willing to help and learn more to gain a better understanding of what her role would be here at the bank. [She] speaks up at meetings, role plays, gives input, and is ready to be a part of our team at BofA.”
As the pilot cohort wraps up, the Chamber celebrates a successful launch and is looking to expand the program to serve more students and employers. In addition to consumer banking, Year Up offers training in cybersecurity, app development, data analytics, and other high-demand tech roles. It is also working with community colleges to develop custom training and work-based learning models for emerging industries such as mobility.
As the largest pipeline for students of color into Fortune 500 companies, Year Up has a proven track record of creating more equitable opportunities for young people. Employers seeking a more diverse talent pool are encouraged to partner in this next iteration of the program.
To learn more, contact Christi Taylor, Senior Director of Talent Initiatives at the Detroit Regional Chamber, at ctaylor@detroitchamber.com.