YES PROGRAM

Cumulative YES Program Enrollment

Since its founding in 2006, the YES (Your Employability Skills) Program has grown from a single school district into a dynamic, region-wide initiative now implemented in 20 schools across Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. What began as a pilot effort to prepare students for the workplace has developed into a powerful model of workforce readiness recognized across the state.

As of the 2024–25 school year, 932 students participated in the program, with 184 earning the YES Certificate, a credential recognized by employers throughout the region. This year’s enrollment brings the total number of participants to 13,444, with 3,877 graduates since the program’s inception. The program’s steady growth reflects not only its adaptability but also its strong alignment with employer needs and student interests.

In addition to classroom instruction, the program provides practical, real-world experiences that set students apart. This year marked a record high in mock interview participation, with over 500 students from seven schools engaging in customized, one-on-one interviews with more than 50 business professionals. Students entered these interviews having completed professional résumés and cover letters, giving them a realistic preview of the job-seeking process.

The YES Program also continues to expand experiential learning through business tours, connecting students directly with local employers. During the 2024–25 school year, 20 tours were coordinated with 50 business partners, adding to a cumulative total of 681 business tours offered since 2006. These visits expose students to diverse workplace environments and provide valuable insights into regional career opportunities.

Support from higher education partners has also grown. Penn State University remains a foundational supporter of YES Northeast graduates, offering $249,000 in scholarships to 249 students attending its Hazleton and Schuylkill campuses since 2011. Pennsylvania College of Technology has awarded 25 renewable scholarships worth $2,000 each over the past two years. Johnson College offers a $1,000 scholarship plus four academic credits to YES Certificate holders through its prior learning assessment.

Perhaps most significantly, nearly 500 employers across Schuylkill, Luzerne, Erie, and York counties now offer preferred interviews to YES graduates—recognizing the program’s ability to produce students who are workplace-ready, motivated, and aligned with employer expectations.

The expansion of the YES Program over the past two decades is more than a growth story—it’s a reflection of sustained partnerships between schools, businesses, colleges, and the community. As the workforce landscape continues to evolve, YES stands as a proven, adaptive solution helping young people prepare for meaningful futures right here in Pennsylvania.