As Rhode Island's Job Market Shifts, Year Up United Helps Young Adults Build Pathways to Meaningful Careers

Applications are open now for the career training and internship program in Providence; 20-year partnership with Citizens demonstrates employer's continued investment in local talent

• Applications are open now for Year Up United's Customer Experience career pathway in Providence, beginning October 19, 2026.
• The tuition-free pathway includes training in banking and customer success.
• Providence graduates in 2026 are earning an average of $25.04 per hour, and Citizens has provided internships to more than 400 Year Up United participants over 20 years.

BOSTON, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- For young adults looking to launch a meaningful career, getting a foot in the door can be one of the hardest steps, particularly as Rhode Island's job market shifts. Recent data from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training points to a changing workforce picture across the state: even as Rhode Island added jobs in August, 12,500 fewer residents were employed than a year ago and labor force participation continues to shrink. For young adults just starting out, building relevant skills, real-world experience and professional connections can be critical to getting a foothold.

Year Up United, the nation's leading workforce solutions partner, helps young adults without a bachelor's degree launch meaningful careers and helps employers build stronger, career-ready talent pipelines – creating pathways into careers for Rhode Islanders navigating that changing landscape. For alum Vannda Prak, that meant finding an alternative to what she had always viewed as the traditional path to success.

After transferring to community college and working in local restaurants while figuring out what she wanted her future to look like, Prak joined Year Up United's Providence program. She pursued the IT track and later interned with Citizens, where she gained experience and built professional connections that helped launch her career. Today, Prak is a Business Insights Analyst at Citizens.

"My career really started at Year Up United," said Prak. "In addition to the business knowledge and skills I gained during the program, it gave me things I never expected: drive, confidence, connection and hope for a brighter future that feels attainable."

In Providence, Year Up United prepares young adults for meaningful careers through training, coaching and real-world work experience, while working closely with employers to understand their evolving talent needs. Applications are open now for the Customer Experience pathway in Providence, which kicks off on October 19. The pathway includes training in banking, customer success, preparing participants for a range of customer-facing and operational roles.

"A changing job market doesn't mean young adults should wait to start building their careers. It makes preparing for opportunity even more important," said Susan Murray, Chief Executive Officer of Year Up United. "The skills, experience and relationships they build today can help them stand out, adapt as work changes and be ready when the right opportunity comes."

Year Up United participants are seeing strong outcomes locally. Providence graduates in 2026 are earning an average of $25.04 per hour, and in 2025, 76% of graduates were employed and/or enrolled in postsecondary education.

Employer partnerships help make those opportunities possible. This year, Year Up United is marking 20 years of partnership with Citizens, which has provided internships to more than 400 Year Up United participants since the organization opened its Providence location in 2005.

"Today's workforce requires adaptability, a commitment to continuously learn and access to meaningful opportunities for growth," said Susan La Monica, Chief Human Resources Officer at Citizens and Year Up United board member. "For more than 20 years, Citizens has partnered with Year Up United to help young adults develop professional skills, gain valuable experience and connect to career pathways that can change the trajectory of their future. We've seen firsthand how investing in people through mentorship, learning and career-connected experiences creates lasting opportunity for individuals while helping employers build the talent needed for the future."

For Rhode Island young adults considering their next step, applications are open now. Year Up United's Customer Experience program begins October 19. Learn more about eligibility and apply here.

About Year Up United:

Year Up United is the nation's leading workforce solutions partner, launching young adults without a bachelor's degree into meaningful careers and equipping employers with career-ready talent to create lasting economic mobility and impact at scale.

SOURCE Year Up United