**NOTE: Talent Up is now closed. 

The Talent Up Fairfax Fund is an innovative approach to connecting local businesses with skilled talent. Launched in late 2023, the program offers employers a cost-free, low-risk way to onboard new hires through paid work-based learning, modernizing their hiring strategies and building a stronger workforce. By funding internships in high-demand fields, Talent Up mitigates wage barriers for businesses while providing jobseekers with valuable skills and career opportunities. The program successfully engaged 189 employers and placed 193 internships with a median wage of $25 per hour, demonstrating its significant impact. With its focus on work-based learning and dedicated business support, Talent Up Fairfax is reducing barriers and setting out a model for public workforce innovation.