A Year Up!

With Gerald Chertavian, Founder and Senior Advisor of Year Up, and Lauren Jones, Secretary of Labor & Workforce Development in Massachusetts led an insightful discussion on building equitable, skills-based career pathways for young adults. The conversation emphasized connecting youth to high-growth industries like healthcare and clean energy through targeted workforce development initiatives.

Programs like Year Up bridge the gap between underserved communities and employers, addressing the need for collaboration between the private sector, nonprofits, and educational institutions. The conversation highlighted Massachusetts’ focus on accessible education, including free community college for adults 25 and older and investments in diverse training programs across industries like advanced manufacturing and STEM.

The key to success lies in collaboration across sectors and lifelong learning. Employers are encouraged to adopt skills-based hiring practices to enhance inclusivity, foster leadership, and promote economic mobility. By recognizing the value of professional networks and continuous skill development, Massachusetts is positioning itself as a leader in workforce transformation for the future.