APS Foundation has granted $25,000 to Year Up Arizona  to support technology training for students to successfully enter the computer programming, cyber security, IT help desk and financial and business services industries. Year Up is a yearlong program where students receive six months of technical and professional skills training, followed by a six month internship at a leading Valley company. 

The program serves Opportunity Youth – young adults (ages 18-24) who are unemployed or underemployed, who possess a high school diploma/GED, but have no viable connection to living wage employment or post-secondary education. 

Year Up Arizona is located at GateWay Community College’s Central City Campus at 1245 E. Buckeye Road in Phoenix.  Year Up students are enrolled in school and earn college credits that they can use to complete an Associate’s Degree the following year. 

“We appreciate APS Foundation’s support,” said Kim Owens, executive director, Year Up Arizona. “Our students come from all over the Valley with different backgrounds and to see them make such significant strides and move into to professional careers in just one year is amazing.  The program significantly impacts their lives – and their families and communities. Our alumni earn average starting salaries of $16.80/hour ($35,000/year) – more than double the federal minimum wage (which many of our students earn prior to program enrollment). The Foundation’s support is going to allow us to positively impact more students in 2018.” 

Year Up Arizona is a workforce development program with a huge emphasis on preparing young adults for successful careers in high-growth job sectors, especially tech.  The program offers six months of professional skill development with classroom-based technical skills training in the areas of Cyber Security, IT, Help Desk, Java Programming and Business Operations – followed by a six month internship with one of our 21 corporate partners.  

Throughout the year, students receive an educational stipend to defray living expenses. Upon completion of the program, Year Up students have 30 stackable college credits and six months of direct career experience. More importantly, they graduate ready to launch a meaningful career and contribute to the economy and community. To learn more or inquiry about enrolling, visit: www.yearup.org.