This study was conducted by staff from Abt Associates, which co-administers CLEAR. The review of this study was conducted by ICF, which co-administers CLEAR and is trained in applying the CLEAR causal evidence guidelines.
Citation
Highlights
- The study's objective was to examine the impact of the Year Up program on long-term earnings.
- The study used a randomized controlled trial to assign participants to the Year Up program or the control group. The primary data sources were a three-year follow-up survey and the National Directory of New Hires. The authors used statistical models to compare the outcomes between treatment and control group participants.
- The study found that Year Up participants had significantly higher full-time employment, full-time college enrollment, credential receipt, and quarterly earnings of participants in the years following program entry. The study also found that Year Up significantly decreased public benefits receipt in participant households.
- This study receives a high evidence rating. This means we are confident that the estimated effects are attributable to Year Up, and not to other factors.
Intervention Examined
Year Up
Features of the Intervention
Year Up is a youth training and education program. It is a component of the Pathways for Advancing Careers and Education (PACE) project that was launched in 2007 as part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services efforts to support young people with academic and economic challenges. The program is intended to provide young, motivated individuals with an opportunity to develop job skills and experience as they enter adulthood. Year Up’s core aspects include social services, stipends, and placement in an internship. Year Up was implemented in nine urban areas across the United States with limited variation. The first half of the yearlong program was primarily classroom learning focused on technical skills and soft skills for the workplace. The second half of the year was a full-time internship in the healthcare or information technology (IT) field with a weekly check-in at the local Year Up site. Implementation was guided and assisted by a national office located in Boston. The program served individuals aged 18–24 with a high school credential. Selection for the program was competitive and participants had to meet ongoing expectations to maintain benefits and enrollment. In return, they received a stipend of up to $8,870 during the 12-month program period, social services, and mentorship/guidance opportunities. Additionally, alumni could receive services for four months after completion.
Features of the Study
The study used a randomized controlled trial to examine the impact of the Year Up program on long-term earnings. After eligibility screening and baseline assessments, participants were randomly assigned to the treatment or control group. The sample was comprised of 2,544 individuals, with 1,669 in the treatment group (received Year Up services) and 875 in the control group. Control group members were prohibited from entering Year Up for three years, but they could receive similar services in the community from a list of service providers. Over half of the study participants were between the ages of 21 and 24 (57%), male (59%), Black, non-Hispanic (54%), and the highest degree earned was a high school degree or GED (52%). Data sources included a three-year follow-up survey and the National Directory of New Hires. The authors used statistical models to evaluate the impact of Year Up services and compare differences in outcomes between the treatment and control group members.
Study Sites
- Atlanta, GA
- Boston, MA
- Chicago, IL
- National Capital Region (Washington, DC)
- New York City, NY
- Providence, RI
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Seattle, WA
Findings
Earnings and wages
- The study found that Year Up participants earned significantly more in average quarterly earnings during quarters 12 and 13 compared to control group participants ($6,782 vs. $4,925).
Causal Evidence Rating
The quality of causal evidence presented in this study is high because it was based on a well-implemented randomized controlled trial with low attrition. This means we are confident that the estimated effects are attributable to Year Up, and not to other factors.