For Gap Inc.'s program, This Way Ahead, which provides the next generation of leaders with first jobs, 2018 marks a significant growth year. Already two new cities are underway – San Diego, California and Calgary, Alberta – with more to be announced later this summer. The latest expansion is in thanks to partnerships with local nonprofits in each of the cities: San Diego Workforce Partnership and Youth Employment Centre respectively.
This Way Ahead has proven to be a great source of talent for our stores, with program participants on average staying twice as long as their peers. Managers of This Way Ahead participants grow too – these managers reported improvement in their interpersonal and overall leadership skills and even said that the program makes them want to go above and beyond to help their brand succeed.
“This Way Ahead’s long-term potential for impact and empowerment, both inside and outside of our business, is limitless,” says David Hayer, president of Gap Foundation and Senior Vice President, Global Sustainability, Gap Inc. “Results like these are a clear indicator that the program works, and we’re excited to innovate and expand into new communities later this year and in the years to come.”
Over the next few months, more than 1,700 teens and young adults from this program will start working at Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic stores across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
In case you missed it, This Way Ahead went to Capitol Hill in April. Hear the story of Dashawn Hightower, a This Way Ahead graduate.
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