Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator

Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator is sponsored by Global Business Coalition for Education. This accelerator program brings together youth-serving nonprofits and business leaders to prepare young people for the future of work.

Selected nonprofits receive funding, training, and networking opportunities to strengthen and scale their programs, ensuring alignment with current and future workforce demands, particularly in areas like digital technology, green tech, STEM, and finance.

Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator The Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator is an annual program led by the Global Business Coalition for Education that brings together youth-serving nonprofits and business leaders to prepare young people for the future of work.

Through the Accelerator, selected nonprofits strengthen and scale their programs in close partnership with employers, ensuring their education and training initiatives align with current and future workforce demands. One in five young Americans is currently not in school or work, while employers struggle to find people with the right skills. By 2030, over half of young people worldwide won’t have the skills needed for jobs.

At the same time, employers are increasingly reporting difficulty in finding candidates with the skills needed for today’s workforce – including 90% of small businesses. The results speak for themselves: participating community-based organizations have expanded their work and helped more young people enter jobs and apprenticeship programs.

And we have been approached by new partners to replicate the model in other regions around the world. We look forward to working with more youth-serving organizations and businesses to help young people have the skills necessary for the future of work.

Now in its fourth year, the Accelerator has engaged 58 organizations across 48 cities in 24 states , reaching over 250,000 young people annually, with plans to expand the model internationally.

So far, the organizations participating in the Accelerator have helped: 146,960 young people from underserved or underrepresented communities 16,981 young individuals find their first job 13,520 youth gain their first internship or job shadowing opportunity Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator Achieve Twin Cities (Minneapolis, MN) Achieve Twin Cities' mission is to rally community support and deliver best-in-class programming to inspire and equip Minneapolis and Saint Paul youth for careers, college, and life.

ACLAMO is a nonprofit community service organization that provides educational programs, social services, and access to health and wellness programs to Latinos and other community members to empower them to fully achieve their life potential.

Their vision is for every family, every child, and every adult to reach their full potential, independence, and happiness Action Greensboro (Greensboro, NC) Action Greensboro connects talented college students and the Greensboro, NC community, preparing students for the 21st-century workforce. Building and strengthening relationships between sectors enables Greensboro to equitably meet economic and business demands.

This ability to attract and retain a diverse, well-educated, skilled workforce is essential in today’s African American Youth Harvest Foundation (Austin, TX) The African American Youth Harvest Foundation (AAYHF) is dedicated to empowering underserved youth and families by addressing critical community challenges.

All Stars Project INC (New York, NY) Through the developmental power of performance, All Stars Project INC transform the lives of youth from poor and underserved communities in partnership with caring adults, giving everyone the opportunity to grow. America Needs You (New York, NY) America Needs You fights for economic mobility for ambitious, first-generation college students.

They do this by providing transformative mentorship and intensive career development. Apprenti bridges the tech talent gaps by adapting the apprenticeship model to meet evolving workforce needs. Created with the support of the Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA), Apprenti has trained more than 5,000 apprentices and raised over $100 million in public and private funding.

AZ Cyber Initiative (Tucson, AZ) AZ Cyber Initiative is dedicated to empowering young people, particularly those from underserved communities, with the skills and inspiration needed to discover and pursue meaningful, household-sustaining careers in the digital economy.

Their vision is to close the cyber skills gap, build a robust workforce pipeline for cybersecurity and related digital jobs, and foster regional economic security in Arizona and beyond. Better Youth, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA) Better Youth provides media arts training and mentoring to prepare foster and system-impacted youth for careers in the creative economy.

BridgeYear's mission is to connect underserved youth to careers and educational pathways that provide economic stability and independence. Their vision is for all students to graduate high school with a path to stable employment.

As the only nonprofit in Houston focusing exclusively on non-four-year-degree postsecondary career pathways, BridgeYear employs a data-driven approach grounded in their three-pronged Theory of Change: belief, knowledge, and access. Bronx Tech Hub (Bronx, NY) Bronx Tech Hub is a community-driven nonprofit dedicated to building a tech ecosystem in the Bronx.

The organization focuses on workforce development, skills training, entrepreneurship and continuing education, aiming to empower local residents with technology and business skills. Build UP (Birmingham, AL) Build UP is the nation’s first and only early-college workforce development high school to empower youth with the skills and agency to tackle poverty and urban blight.

They provide low-income youth with career-ready skills through paid apprenticeships with industry-aligned secondary and postsecondary academic coursework, leading them to become educated, credentialed, and empowered civic leaders, professionals, and homeowners.

Café Momentum (Dallas, TX) Café Momentum's mission is to transform young lives by equipping justice-involved youth with life skills, education, and employment opportunities to help them achieve their full potential. They are building clear pathways out of incarceration so today's justice-involved youth have access to resources, opportunity and trauma-informed support such that they and their future generations can thrive.

Center for the Future of Arizona (Phoenix, AZ) Center for the Future of Arizona brings Arizonans together to create a stronger and brighter future for our state. They listen to Arizonans to learn what matters most to them, share trusted data about how Arizona is doing in those priority areas, bring critical issues to public attention, and work with communities and leaders to solve public problems.

Cincinnati Youth Collaborative (Cincinnati, OH) Cincinnati Youth Collaborative's mission is to empower young people to overcome barriers and excel in education, career and life. They are committed to providing inclusive and equitable programs, policies and procedures that empower everyone they serve.

Dent Education Inc. (Baltimore, MD) Dent Education empowers Baltimore youth aged 14-24 from underserved communities with the skills, mindsets, and networks to thrive in the 21st-century economy. Their programs use an Earn-to-Learn model, offering paid internships where young people gain real-world experience in innovation-focused pathways: entrepreneurship, design, engineering, and technology.

Diversity Cyber Council (Houston, TX) The Diversity Cyber Council unites people, processes and technology to build a more representative workforce in cybersecurity.

Dress for Success Phoenix (Phoenix, AZ) Dress for Success (DFS) Phoenix empowers women and young people to achieve long-term financial wellness and economic independence by providing a network of support and professional attire – and the development tools that help them thrive in work and in life.

Education to Employment Partners (Corpus Christi, TX) Education to Employment Partners (E2E), formerly Citizens for Educational Excellence (CEE), was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization in 2003 by the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce Foundation as a way to improve high school graduation rates.

Education to Employment Partners is a catalyst to bring together people, resources, and information to increase educational and job attainment in the Coastal Bend. EmployIndy (Indianapolis, IN) EmployIndy guides the local workforce ecosystem and makes strategic investments in partners focused on underserved and underrepresented residents.

Exalt Youth (New York, NY) Founded in 2006 and incubated at the Blue Ridge Foundation, exalt Youth's mission is to raise the expectations of personal success for court-involved youth ages 15-19 by combining a rigorous, culturally responsive curriculum with paid internships, individualized support/advocacy to navigate the education/justice systems, and a dedicated alumni network for ongoing assistance.

This cross-sectoral approach achieves outstanding impact with youth in three areas: criminal justice avoidance; academic progression; and employability. FilmNorth (Saint Paul, MN) FilmNorth is a leading filmmaker support organization based in Minnesota, dedicated to empowering youth through media arts education and career development in the entertainment industry.

Its programs focus on equipping young people – particularly those from underrepresented communities – with essential creative, digital and professional skills for careers in media, film and technology-driven creative fields.

First Graduate (San Francisco, CA) Founded in 2001, First Graduate's mission is to assist San Francisco students in becoming the first in their families to graduate from college ready to pursue careers that are meaningful to them.

They level the playing field for low-income students of color and those otherwise disenfranchised in the dominant culture, ensuring educational equity that leads to graduation from some of the best colleges and universities nationwide. First Graduate believes all students deserve access to higher education, regardless of their economic status.

Future Chefs (Boston, MA) Future Chefs empowers Boston's low-income youth of color to take charge of their future by providing opportunities to practice leadership and to develop the skills needed to grow in their personal and professional life beyond high school. They engage and inspire teens to develop a broad range of essential life skills, in addition to culinary skills, while engaged in paid, productive work.

Teens explore their identity, practice leadership and teamwork, strengthen their confidence and communication, learn to nurture their mental health, and create strong relationships with caring adults.

Future Plans (Newbury, OH) Future Plans is a nonprofit dedicated to transforming opportunities for first-generation college students, opportunity youth and communities impacted by generational poverty, substance use or incarceration in Appalachian and rural Ohio.

Futures and Options (New York, NY) Futures and Options empowers New York City's youth, particularly youth of color and students from historically underrepresented communities, to acquire transferable professional skills, pursue higher education, and successfully compete in a global 21st century economy.

They collaborate with employers to provide transformative career development opportunities to young people, enabling them to succeed in college and inspiring them to pursue meaningful careers.

Hopeworks 'N Camden (Camden, NJ) With a focus on skill development, real-world job experience, and trauma-informed care, Hopeworks propels young adults into long-term living wage careers that put them on the path for healing and financial stability.

INCO Community Inc. (San Francisco, CA) INCO is a global nonprofit group on a mission to unlock young people's potential through skilling and entrepreneurship programs that contribute to breaking the poverty and exclusion cycle.

Through accelerating the growth of small community businesses and innovative social impact startups, INCO aims to create a more inclusive and environmentally sustainable economy by supporting the workforce and business leaders of tomorrow. The social enterprise helps sidelined communities access fulfilling employment in the tech and sustainable development sectors through training and matchmaking.

Jacksonville Public Education Fund, Inc. (Jacksonville, FL) The JPEF mobilizes its community to build a bridge between education, business and philanthropy to ensure every child in Duval County, Florida, graduates prepared for success in college, career and life.

Jeffco Schools Foundation (Jefferson County, CO) Jeffco Schools Foundation believes every student in Jeffco deserves to have access to the educational experiences they need to thrive. They partner with Jeffco Public Schools to fund programs and initiatives that remove barriers to student success and ensure equitable learning opportunities for all.

Junior Achievement of Arkansas (Little Rock, AR) At Junior Achievement, they believe in "possible." Each day, they work to help young people discover what's possible in their lives by helping them connect what they learn in school with life outside the classroom. They let them know it's possible to invest in their future, to gain a better understanding of how the world works, and to pursue their dreams.

They show them that it's possible for tomorrow to be a better day. Junior Achievement of South Florida (Coconut Creek, FL) Junior Achievement of South Florida is training the next generation of business leaders, employees and consumers by educating students about financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work readiness.

They aim to empower a generation of students equipped with the knowledge, ability and confidence to navigate their futures, drive the economy and lead the community. Junior Achievement of Southwest New England Inc. (Hartford, CT) Junior Achievement of Southwest New England's (JA) mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in global economy.

Junior Achievement gives young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success and plan for their future. Their business and community volunteers deliver relevant, hands-on experiences that teach students in kindergarten through high school the basics of financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship.

Programs empower students to connect what they learn in school to meaningful careers and make their dreams a reality. LIFE Leaders Inc. (Detroit, MI) L! FE Leaders is a youth-centered organization, empowering Detroit's young people, ages 14 to 24, to create the future they envision for themselves and their communities.

L! FE student-internships provide experience-based career and life skills training that fosters self-confidence, professional networks, and workforce preparedness for youth participants. Students receive relevant work experience and explore topics of financial literacy, college and career readiness, health and wellness, relationship building, community engagement, and more.

Los Angeles Conservation Corps (Los Angeles, CA) The LA Conservations Corps creates equitable opportunities for young people to build resilience in themselves, their communities, and the environment through a program of work, education, and support. They envision a world with resilient communities where young people are inspired to connect, learn, live, work and enjoy.

The mission of MAGNET: The Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network Inc. is to grow the manufacturing sector in Northeast Ohio. Half of the regional economy in Northeast Ohio depends on manufacturers, most of which are small or medium-sized companies.

Northeast Ohio's past, present, and future are integrally tied to the success of manufacturing and MAGNET's goal is to tackle the tough problems that risk holding our region back from an even more prosperous future. Maydm provides girls and youth of color in grades 6–12 with the skills, experiences and connections to pursue careers in STEM.

Merit America (Washington, DC) Merit America is combining high-quality workforce training for in-demand fields with personalized career coaching and professional development to bridge the gaps that limit career advancement and economic mobility for young adults stuck in low-wage work.

MyPath Mahoning Valley (Warren, OH) MyPath empowers students to succeed in whatever directions they choose – college education, career/technical training, employment or military service. National AHEC Organization (Alachua, FL) NAO unites a network of more than 300 Area Health Education Centers (AHECs), state program offices and regional centers across US territories to expand access to quality healthcare in underserved areas.

New Door Ventures (San Francisco, CA) New Door's mission is to prepare Opportunity Youth for work and life, by providing the jobs, training, education, and support they need to discover and achieve their potential so that they can transition to independent adulthood. New Door has been serving Bay Area communities facing structural inequities and other barriers to economic opportunity since 1981.

In 2005, they focused their services on Opportunity Youth during the critical transition between childhood and adulthood, when skill development and workforce readiness are key to lifelong employability and financial independence.

NPower Ohio provides transformative, tuition-free, virtual-led IT training to young adults (18–26), uplifting overlooked communities and providing a viable pathway to a career in Dayton, Ohio’s vibrant tech community.

Orlando Community Youth Trust (Orlando, FL) Orlando’s Youth Employment Program (YEP) began as part of the big idea to harness city resources, wrap-around services and partnerships to invest in the success of young people from Orlando’s Parramore neighborhood, building on the community’s strengths.

Philadelphia Works Inc. (Philadelphia, PA) Philadelphia Works is a 501c3 non-profit organization that invests in solutions and services that grow Philadelphia's economy. They support employers in developing strong and diverse talent pipelines and connect career seekers to quality employment and training opportunities.

Sidekick Education (Madison, WI) Sidekick Education works to help students lower their math anxiety and build interest in math futures through SMS conversations with their identity-building chatbot. Southern California College Attainment Network (Los Angeles, CA) SoCal CAN's mission is to increase the rate at which underrepresented students access and complete post-secondary education.

The Center for Teen Empowerment (Boston, MA) To employ, train, and empower youth to, in collaboration with adults, create peace, equity, and justice. They envision a world in which youth with adults, in mutually respectful and supportive relationships, use their voices creatively to inspire, lead, and empower their communities to achieve justice and peace.

The LEAH Project & Health Resources in Action (Boston, MA) The mission of the Leaders through Education, Action, and Hope (LEAH) Project is to promote the power of young people, especially Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) youth, to diversify the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.

The PAST Foundation (Columbus, OH) The PAST Foundation's mission is to transform education by connecting learning to life through the partnership of anthropology, science, and technology. PAST joins forces with community, industry, and educators, integrating education to encompass transdisciplinary teaching and learning to better reflect relevant real world experience.

The Skills Centre, Inc. (Tampa, FL) TSC's mission is to utilize the power of sports to level the playing field in education, health and workforce training.

The SoLa Foundation (Los Angeles, CA) The SoLa Foundation works to end intergenerational poverty in under-invested and under-resourced communities of Los Angeles by preparing thousands of young people for careers in technology, media and other high-growth industries, advancing a more equitable and inclusive economy for under-resourced communities in Los Angeles.

The Trust for Public Land (Camden, NJ) The Trust for Public Land believes everyone should have access to the outdoors. That is why they create parks and protect land for the people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come.

United for College Career Success (Houston, TX) UFCS is dedicated to empowering each learner by honoring their self-determined journey, amplifying their educational potential, and creating equitable pathways to meaningful career opportunities. They focus on meeting learners where they are and supporting them with the resources and guidance needed to thrive academically, socially, and economically as they prepare for the future.

Urban Alliance (Chicago, IL) Urban Alliance connects students to equitable, inclusive careers through paid high school internships, mentorship, and professional development. They work with schools and employers to address systemic barriers to economic mobility for young adults of color and to bridge the gaps between education and workforce development for all young people.

Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership Inc (Milwaukee, WI) Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership Inc's mission is to enhance the ability of public and private sector organizations to recruit, develop, and retain a more diverse, qualified workforce in construction, manufacturing, and emerging sectors of the regional economy.

Youth Development Initiatives (Charlotte, NC) Youth Development Initiatives provides critical life-job skills training and individualized career/post-HS education planning after school for disadvantaged high school students that results in upward economic mobility. They have served more than 3,500 students since 2006.

Youth Job Center (Evanston, IL) Youth Job Center envisions a future where all young people have the support they need to build meaningful careers and fulfill their potential—and for the last four decades, we have worked to make that vision a reality.

The Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator is a national network and leadership program that supports youth-serving organizations through training and capacity building – working alongside the private sector – to shape pathways to employment. Each year, a cohort of leaders from youth-serving organizations is selected to take part in the Accelerator.

They focus on strengthening their organizations and improving how their programs move young people from training into employment, informed by real-world insight and expertise from employers.

Leadership Lab, New York City, May 11th – 13th, 2026 The heart of the Accelerator is the Leadership Lab – an all-expenses-paid, three-day, in-person working session where nonprofit and business leaders come together to explore workforce challenges, share perspectives, and develop practical plans.

Following the Leadership Lab, participating nonprofits will leave with a bespoke, actionable plan, stronger partnerships, and continued support.

This includes: Ongoing learning and development sessions alongside one-to-one coaching to achieve their goals Reimbursement for teams to attend relevant industry events Access to the Accelerator Toolkit, including resources, pro-bono tools, and two Dell AI PCs per organization See how Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator participants are delivering quality, innovative results-oriented skills programming for youth in the United States.

Helping students become the first in their family with a degree Helping students become the first in their family with a degree Spotlight on the work of First Graduate, a San Francisco-based organization chosen for the 2025 Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator. First Graduate gives college and career coaching to young people as part of a 12-year commitment from middle school.

How SAP’s partnership with GBC-Education is reaping rewards How SAP’s partnership with GBC-Education is reaping rewards Katie Booth from the global software company talks about the benefits of working with us on new projects that combine our experience in both the global and local education and youth skills sectors.

Young innovators make a dent in the world Young innovators make a dent in the world Spotlight on the work of Dent Education, a Baltimore-based organization that’s one of 15 non-profits chosen for the Global Business Coalition for Education’s 2025 Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator. Its vision is to catalyze youth to become leaders of a racially just and thriving innovation ecosystem in the city.

The right environment for young people to thrive The right environment for young people to thrive Spotlight on the work of LA Conservation Corps, a California-based organization chosen for the 2025 Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator. The Corps gives What’s the future? High school students find many options What’s the future?

High school students find many options Student Navjot Dhillon was interested in a career in healthcare. But she wasn’t fully aware of the various career paths until a school guidance counsellor introduced her to Futures and Options.

Community works together to open doors for young people Community works together to open doors for young people New Door Ventures helps young people in the San Francisco Bay Area prepare for work and adult life – but it takes a real community effort.

Helping the Global Business Coalition for Education unlock employment opportunities We’d like to say thank you to our partners who have provided support for the Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator. If you’d like to see your logo alongside this group of businesses, please contact us fareeda@gbc-education. org Right now, one in five young Americans is not in school or work.

At the same time, employers are struggling to find the skills they need. As AI reshapes the labor market, this skills gap is set to widen.

Businesses join the Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator to gain access to a ready-made network of 58 youth-serving organizations across 24 states, collectively reaching more than 250,000 young people to: Help create pathways to fill critical job vacancies Influence education and training programs for youth Leverage their own training programs and tools at scale” Registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit organizations interested in participating in the Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator program in 2027 should submit their applications by October 15, 2026.

Click to Learn More and Apply Skills Commission and Community Engagement Youth Skills Commission, supported by Intel and Deloitte, launches “ Preparing Tomorrow’s Workforce for the Fourth Industrial Revolution: A Framework for Business Action. ” Working with Deloitte Monitor Group, a series of focus groups and interviews across the nation to help to shape a new U.S. youth skills program model.

Scaling up Promising Innovations Action Greensboro (Greensboro, SC), Sidekick Education (Madison, WI), and Orlando Community Youth Trust (Orlando, FL) are awarded grants as the winners and runners-ups of the Big Ideas, Bright Cities Challenge. The first Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator program convenes exceptional organizations from 12 U.S. states.

Accelerator Round Two & Engaging Employee Volunteers The Southern California College Attainment Network (SoCal CAN) was declared the winner of the second challenge, joining 14 other nonprofits in the second cohort of the Accelerator program. Partners convened for a roundtable discussion entitled Bridging the Gap Together: Empowering Youth for Future Workforce Success in New York.

Deloitte’s StepUP skills-based volunteering program teams worked on several pro-bono projects with Accelerator organizations. Harnessing AI and Growing Interest More than 700 organizations apply to participate in the Accelerator program. Corporate partners visit winning nonprofit organizations across the country.

Partners convene for an event focused on Harnessing AI for Skill Development, with interactive AI demos by Dell Technologies to help young people interview for jobs. Professional support provided to the cohort members and alumni to develop join program proposals and engage in corporate volunteer activities, such as Deloitte Impact Day.

Accelerator Cohort Three and New Partners Stellantis joins as the newest supporter of the Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator program. A new cohort is announced, reaching a total of 43 participating organizations in the U.S. and a footprint of 250,000 young people. The Accelerator grows to include new workshop topics and expert speakers, stipends to attend industry events, and funding pitch training.

Accelerator Network Expands With 15 new organizations joining in 2026, the Accelerator network now includes 58 nonprofits across 48 cities in 24 states, reaching more than 250,000 young people annually.

In 2026, businesses will contribute to the Accelerator Toolkit, with resources, pro-bono support, and in-kind donations, and we will host the first-ever in-person gathering for the program participants at the YSEA Leadership Lab in New York City in May 2026.