Year Up Greater Philadelphia will graduate 48 young adults who have completed its year-long finance and technology workforce development.

Year Up provides young adults from underserved communities with the opportunity to enroll in college at no cost, earn up to 24 college credits without incurring debt, received a modest stipend, intern at a leading company and achieve gainful employment. Graduates have achieved starting salaries as high as $56,160 for software development positions and $52,000 for finance positions.

The organization boasts two sites in the region and have graduated almost 500 young adults since opening in 2013. Both sites will be hosting graduation events:

• The ceremony in Wilmington be held at Wilmington University, and President Dr. LaVerne Harmon will serve as guest speaker, while graduating student Malik Millers, of New Castle County, will give the student address. The ceremony will take place January 17th from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Wilmington University Auditorium.
• In Philadelphia, the event will take place from 10:00-11:30am at the Suzanne B. Roberts Theater on January 23rd. Sheila Ireland, Executive Director, Philadelphia Office of Workforce Development at City of Philadelphia will be the Keynote speaker while Student Michael Pellergrini will be the student speaker.

“Our strength is placing young adults with talent in positions that companies are trying to fill,” said Hassan Charles, executive director of Year Up Greater Philadelphia and Wilmington. “I am amazed by our students’ motivation, drive and commitment to succeed. Year Up provides them with the opportunity to showcase their strengths, reliability and skills to local employers. We are especially pleased with the high salaries our graduates are reporting.”