**NOTE: Talent Up is now closed. 

Check out The NEW Talent Up NOVA for displaced Federal Workers!

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.