UpSkill America is an employer-led movement to expand opportunity for America’s workers and allow our economy and communities to thrive. As part of our mission to advance the upskilling movement, we are pleased to share the following news featuring one of our partners.
Gap Inc. today announced its goal of hiring 5 percent of all entry-level store employees from graduates of the company’s This Way Ahead paid store internship program by 2025. First launched in 2007, the program empowers teens and young adults from low-income communities by teaching them valuable job readiness and life skills while also generating proven talent and business benefits for participating Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy stores. By 2020, the company expects 10,000 teens and young adults will have participated in This Way Ahead, receiving job coaching and critical first job experience.
Gap Inc. created This Way Ahead in response to the ongoing challenge of youth unemployment. Gap Inc. partners with select nonprofits that have strong ties to local communities and a track record of running effective job training and life skills programs on This Way Ahead. Course curriculum includes fundamentals such as resume writing and budgeting, supplemented by workshops facilitated by Gap Inc. employee volunteers. Following their training, teens and young adults 16 – 24 interview for a ten-week paid internship at Old Navy, Gap, or Banana Republic stores. During their internship, participants continue to receive personalized coaching from the nonprofit partner and store managers, while getting hands-on experience working in a store. To date, 75 percent of This Way Ahead alumni have received job offers from Gap Inc. Click here to read more.
We are delighted with this announcement and commend Gap Inc. for joining a growing list of companies committed to advancing the upskilling movement.
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