Dell and Deloitte: Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator
Case Studies
Uniting businesses and nonprofits to close the youth skills gap across the United States
In the United States, one in ten young people aged 18 to 24 — around four million individuals — are not in school or working. At the same time, employers across sectors report difficulty finding candidates with the skills needed for today’s and tomorrow’s workforce.
To address this growing disconnect, the Global Business Coalition for Education partnered with Deloitte and Dell Technologies to launch the Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator — a first-of-its-kind initiative that brings together community-based nonprofits, corporations, and funders to prepare young people for employment in a rapidly evolving economy.
Launched in 2021, the Accelerator aims to be the largest network of youth-serving organizations in the United States focused on workforce development for underserved communities.
Challenge
Millions of young people across America — particularly those from historically underserved backgrounds — face systemic barriers to education and employment. At the same time, businesses urgently need talent in high-growth fields such as STEM, finance, green tech, and artificial intelligence.
Deloitte commissioned the Global Business Coalition for Education to explore this disconnect. Together, we convened a Youth Skills and Innovation Commission and created a Youth Council to hear directly from young people. The findings revealed a stark reality: unless immediate action is taken, a generation could be left behind.
Employers, community organizations, and policymakers all have a role to play in bridging this gap. But local nonprofits often lack the resources, networks, and capacity to scale up their solutions and meet the growing need.
Solution
The Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator was created to support and scale innovative, community-based responses to the youth employment crisis. Backed by Dell Technologies and Deloitte, the program identifies high-potential nonprofits across the United States and supports them through:
- Strategic funding and capacity building
- Pro bono corporate expertise
- Connections to national networks of funders, employers, and fellow nonprofits
- Training in areas like communications, strategic planning, and technology integration
Since 2021, the Accelerator has invested in 40+ nonprofits in 24 U.S. states, with participants joining a 12-month program designed to strengthen impact, expand reach and amplify youth voices.
Impact
In just a few years, the Accelerator has already made significant progress:
Over 200,000 young people reached since 2021
6,320 youth placed in internships or job-shadowing for the first time
9,481 young people supported in landing their first job
47,690 direct beneficiaries, with 39,077 from underrepresented communities
Project SOAR: Supporting the postsecondary goals of public housing residents
One standout success is Project SOAR, led by the Southern California College Attainment Network (SoCal CAN). In partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, Project SOAR provides free, in-person college and career advising to public housing residents. It has a particular focus on breaking the cycle of poverty. The program provides in-person programming at eight HACLA housing sites and aims eventually to be at all 18 sites.
Program Director Nina Abonal said: “We provide free college guidance, academic advising, and basic career support to all residents. We’ve developed trust with community members and they know that we’re here for them to support them every step of the way.”
Niña Abonal SoCal CAN
“The highlight was having the amazing opportunity to connect with other professionals performing impactful work throughout different communities in the U.S.”
Tiara Collier, 19 First in her family to attend college
“Words cannot explain how much the project has helped me. If I have anything that needs to be proofread, any questions about anything like resources or scholarships, they just help me. They have exceeded my expectations. I love Project SOAR so much.”
The Business Case for Investing in Youth Skills
For companies like Deloitte and Dell Technologies, investing in youth skills is both a purpose-driven commitment and a strategic business decision.
Securing the future workforce
As industries evolve — particularly with the rise of AI and digital transformation — companies face growing challenges in finding talent with the right skills. By supporting youth-serving organizations, businesses help develop the next generation of skilled workers and close the gap between education and employment.
Strengthening community ties
Backing grassroots nonprofits builds trust and visibility in underserved communities. For Dell Technologies, this means investing in digital equity; for Deloitte, it supports a long-term vision of inclusive economic growth.
Enhancing brand and purpose
Participation in the Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator demonstrates corporate leadership on equity, innovation, and social responsibility — values increasingly important to consumers, employees, and investors alike.
Driving innovation through collaboration
The Accelerator offers companies a platform to engage with local organizations, share expertise, and co-create solutions — fostering a culture of innovation that benefits both communities and businesses.
We’re investing in our future workforce and helping ensure underserved communities have access to the skills they need to thrive.”
Maia Wagner, Dell Technologies
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