During the first six months of the program, participants will focus on skill mastery in one of two areas:

1) Hardware, Software, and Help Desk/User Support

2) Web Production. Equal emphasis will be placed on developing the professional skills required in today's workplace such as effective communication, leadership, and teamwork.

During the second six months of the program, all talent will be placed in paid internships with local partner companies. A stipend will be paid to all participants throughout the one-year, full-time educational program.

Once placed on their internships, students use both the technical and professional skills training they acquired here at Year Up. For many of our students, this means improving their writing and communication skills, whether they are native speakers of English or they are learning English as a second language.

When our students graduated from Year Up in June of 2002, many had full time jobs with the companies at which they had internships. Many had their internship contracts extended for another six months, upon the end of which they will have the potential to be hired for a full-time position at that company. Many have found jobs using the technical skills they gained at Year Up, and many of our students are continuing their education either full or part time.