Ellen McClain

The CEO Training Workers With the Skills Employers Actually Need

Emerging technologies like machine learning and AI are reshaping the job market, forcing employers to rethink what matters most in entry-level hiring. As President and CEO of Year Up United, a nonprofit that partners with more than 250 companies to provide job training programs, Ellen McClain believes this shift requires an emphasis on skills over degrees. Under McClain’s leadership, 2024 was a record-breaking year for the organization, which raised $402 million — its highest total ever — and achieved its second-highest internship-to-job conversion rate in 24 years. By connecting companies with ambitious, career-ready talent from diverse backgrounds, Year Up United is doing more than filling jobs. It’s helping reshape how employers define potential. “It’s a great thing for corporate America,” McClain told HR Brew, “and a proven approach to economic mobility in this country.”

By Laura Entis