Gap Inc.’s This Way Ahead Program Doubles Participation in its 2017 Paid Store Internship Program for First-Time Job Seekers
June 29 2017 - 5:07PM
Business Wire
Marking its Tenth Year, Summer Program Expands
to Two New Cities
This month, 1,200 teens and young adults between the ages of 16
and 24 started a 10-week paid internship with Gap Inc. (NYSE:
GPS) at select Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic stores in the
U.S., Canada and the U.K. Gap Inc.’s This Way Ahead program was
launched in 2007 to help young people gain the skills and
experience needed to land their first job. This year, the company’s
summer jobs training program expanded to Miami and Vancouver, and
has doubled the number of interns participating from last year.
About 300 Gap Inc. stores in 15 cities will host interns this
summer.
In 2016, over 70 percent of This Way Ahead graduates received
job offers from Gap Inc. after completing their internships. The
company created This Way Ahead in response to the ongoing
challenges facing unemployed youth. Research shows that getting a
first job as a teenager has a profound impact on an individual’s
long-term earning potential. For example, being unemployed young
can reduce earnings by as much as 20 percent for up to two
decades.
The program has also generated proven talent and business
benefits for the company. This Way Ahead graduates stay with the
company twice as long as their peers and have higher engagement
scores than their co-workers. Additionally, the Gap, Banana
Republic, and Old Navy employees who volunteer to coach interns
develop leadership and mentoring skills. Last year, the company
announced its commitment to hire five percent of all new
entry-level store employees from graduates of This Way Ahead by
2025.
Prior to beginning their store internships this month, interns
participated in job readiness and training sessions with nonprofit
organizations. In each city, Gap Inc. partners with local
nonprofits that have strong ties to their communities and a track
record of running effective job training and life skills programs.
Course curriculum includes fundamentals such as resume writing and
time management, supplemented by workshops facilitated by Gap Inc.
employee volunteers.
About This Way Ahead
Launched in 2007, Gap Inc.’s This Way Ahead program currently
operates in 15 cities, including Atlanta, GA; Austin, TX; Boston,
MA; Chicago, IL; Houston, TX; Los Angeles, CA; Miami, FL; New York,
NY; Philadelphia, PA; San Francisco, CA; Toronto, Canada;
Vancouver, Canada; Birmingham, England; London, England; and
Manchester, England. By 2020, the company expects 10,000 teens and
young adults will have participated in This Way Ahead, receiving
job coaching and critical first job experience. To learn more about
This Way Ahead, visit
http://www.gapincsustainability.com/way-ahead.
About Gap Inc.
Gap Inc. is a leading global retailer offering clothing,
accessories, and personal care products for men, women, and
children under the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Athleta,
Intermix and Weddington Way brands. Fiscal year 2016 net sales were
$15.5 billion. Gap Inc. products are available for purchase in more
than 90 countries worldwide through about 3,200 company-operated
stores, about 450 franchise stores, and e-commerce sites. For more
information, please visit www.gapinc.com.
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Gap Inc.Debbie Felixpress@gap.com
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