Netflix’s “Untapped: Closing America’s Opportunity Gap” brings a fresh perspective to the conversation about hiring practices in America. The documentary, released last month, follows six young adults in New York City competing for internships at major companies.
It challenges the traditional emphasis on college degrees in hiring decisions.
Produced by Workday and The SpringHill Company—founded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter—the film highlights the work of Year Up United. This NYC-based nonprofit has been helping young professionals develop essential skills for nearly 25 years.
It focuses on IT, cybersecurity, customer service, and data analytics.
Year Up collaborates with over 285 employers, including Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, and Bank of America. It aims to place graduates from its year-long professional development programs in meaningful job opportunities.
By doing so, they address a significant issue: the reliance on college degrees excludes a vast talent pool.
“People are willing to work for it, but it’s shocking how stuck they are,” said Byron Auguste, CEO and co-founder of Opportunity@Work.
“Year Up creates a setting where it can coach you and get you there because they’ve got all these employers with them. That’s the emotional part of the film.”
He spoke at a screening of the documentary hosted by Workday.
The six featured individuals represent over 45,000 young professionals who have gone through Year Up’s programs nationwide. Over 4,400 students enroll in their training programs each year.
These programs teach technical skills and develop soft skills like communication and teamwork.
In addition to training, Year Up offers other support services. “Grads of Life” is an advisory practice that helps employers with skills-based hiring and talent management strategies.
YUPro, a for-profit B Corp placement services firm, assisted over 75 companies in hiring talent last year.
The results speak for themselves. Around 80% of Year Up graduates find employment or enroll in further education within four months of completing the program.
According to their annual report, graduates start with an average salary of $53,000. Furthermore, a 2021 evaluation by the Office of Planning, Research & Evaluation found that six years after completing the program, graduates earned 30% more than those who didn’t participate.
However, Year Up has faced challenges in recent years. In 2023, they placed fewer interns than in previous years. The organization attributed this decline to macroeconomic challenges, including a slowing economy and layoffs in sectors they serve particularly tech.
Year Up reorganized parts of its corporate engagement team to navigate these headwinds and developed more sophisticated labor market insights to anticipate and respond to future challenges.
Additionally, the organization aims to offer career development pathways in all markets.
Despite these obstacles, Year Up is “holding steady” this year. They expect to welcome more participants in 2025.
Even if they continued business as usual, there would still be plenty of opportunities. In the last year alone, there were 49,000 job openings in the fields Year Up trains for.
The documentary underscores a growing recognition in corporate America. Traditional markers like college degrees aren’t the only indicators of a candidate’s potential.
Organizations like Year Up help close the opportunity gap by focusing on skills and providing access to training and employment opportunities.
This shift has significant implications. It diversifies the workforce by opening doors for individuals from varied backgrounds, and it addresses talent shortages by widening the talent pool.
It also promotes economic mobility by providing access to quality jobs for those without college degrees.
Companies embracing skills-based hiring tap into a vast pool of untapped talent. They fill vital roles and impact individuals’ lives and the broader community. As industries evolve and the nature of work changes, employers re-evaluate traditional hiring criteria.
“Untapped: Closing America’s Opportunity Gap” is a call to action for employers nationwide. The stories of the six young adults featured are emblematic of countless others. They possess the drive and talent to succeed if given the chance.
Year Up’s commitment to expanding opportunities remains unwavering. The organization continues its mission and plans to increase participant numbers and adapt to the changing economic landscape.
They are poised to help shape a more inclusive and dynamic workforce for the years to come.
“It’s about recognizing potential where others might not see it,” said a Year Up spokesperson.
“When we focus on skills and provide access to opportunities, everyone benefits—the individuals, the companies, and society as a whole.”
As the conversation around skills-based hiring gains momentum, initiatives like Year Up are crucial. They demonstrate that non-traditional candidates can excel in competitive industries with the proper training and support.
The documentary highlights these efforts, influencing perceptions and encouraging more organizations to reconsider hiring practices.
The movement toward skills-based hiring reflects a broader shift in the employment landscape. Employers increasingly focus on practical skills and the ability to perform specific job functions. This paradigm shift has profound socio-economic benefits.
Organizations like Year Up show that investing in skills development and embracing non-traditional talent pipelines is not just noble. It’s a strategic imperative for the future of the workforce.
In conclusion, Netflix’s “Untapped” highlights a significant shift in hiring practices. It also brings attention to Year Up United’s important work. Together, they showcase the potential of skills-based hiring to transform lives and industries.