Careers without college are helping to bridge the skills gap
Case Studies
BridgeYear is committed to showing Houston youth that a skilled trade job can be the answer to a successful career, providing opportunities for young people to gain a high paid career without college debt.
There’s more than one way for young people to land a high-paying job. Instead of the time and expense of a four-year university degree, they can pave their own path to a successful career.
That’s the lesson high school students are learning from BridgeYear, an innovative organization that focuses on helping underserved youth from low-income communities in Houston, Texas.
BridgeYear is one of 15 non-profits chosen to take part in the Global Business Coalition for Education’s 2025 Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator. With employers across all sectors in the United States struggling to find young talent with the expertise they need, the Accelerator is part of a nationwide drive to ensure that by 2030 all young Americans will have the skills needed to find work in a rapidly-changing job market.
BridgeYear’s message to teenagers is simple. A skilled trade job IS a high-paying job. And you don’t need to have a degree and run up large student debt to enter many industries that offer financial stability and opportunities to thrive. Apprenticeships, certifications, and other pathways can lead to exciting and rewarding futures.
“The demand for skilled trades isn’t growing – it’s skyrocketing,” said BridgeYear. “With an aging workforce and more projects than workers to fill them, industries are urgently hiring for roles like electricians, sterile processing technicians, and auto technicians.”
Students can take part in BridgeYear’s Electrician Training Program
The greatest barrier to high school students going into trade careers is lack of knowledge. BridgeYear’s Executive Director Victoria Chen explained: “Students don’t know all their options and how to obtain them. We equip students with essential knowledge about high-paying and in-demand career opportunities, instil belief in their potential, and provide access to training and educational programs crucial for launching a successful career.
“We’re working on ensuring that the young people we serve select the post-secondary pathways they wish to pursue – not the ones we choose for them.”
Founded in 2016, BridgeYear has developed and extended its services – reaching more than 12,600 students, most of them economically disadvantaged, during the 2023-24 school year. It works collaboratively with employers and corporate partners in the Greater Houston area to create opportunities for young people and to develop a skilled and diverse workforce.
The organization aims to increase access for students to its workforce education and training programs. BridgeYear believes that being part of the 2025 Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator and learning from others will be hugely helpful in achieving that ambition. The Accelerator equips nonprofits with the tools and support they need to make a real difference in the lives of young people from underserved communities.
Chen said: “Participating in the Accelerator at a time when we are investing more in our staff and programming will greatly enhance our organization’s capacity to build our network and capacity for growth. Specifically, networking with other organizations tackling similar challenges and mission statements will allow us to think critically about program designs, delivery, and innovation.”
We equip students with essential knowledge about high-paying and in-demand career opportunities
Victoria Chen, Executive Director of BridgeYear
One high school student who benefited from BridgeYear programs is Beatriz P., who graduated in 2024 from the organization’s Certified Nursing Assistant Training Cohort, in partnership with MAM. She completed the five-week program of free training and support and now works as a patient care technician for Memorial Hermann Health System.
Beatriz said: “We learned about how to take of our patients. My favorite part was when we went to a facility to help take care of the older people there and give them a bit more support. BridgeYear offered a lot of help for me and always kept in contact. If you have the opportunity take it, because it might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.””
Ismael R. graduated from BridgeYear’s Electrician Training Program, offered through Texas Technical Trade School, and now works for an electrical company. About the training, he said: “The biggest takeaway was hands-on learning. It stays imprinted. I’d recommend it because it was very helpful.”
BridgeYear and the other organizations in the 2025 Accelerator will join the alumni network of 28 previous participants which collectively have positively impacted more than 250,000 young people. When they complete the program, nonprofits and their leaders stay in the growing network – helping them to work with others and get peer support.
Businesses that support the Accelerator have opportunities to enhance brand recognition and strengthen community ties. They can also provide pro-bono products and services to support participating organizations.
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