Atlanta, GA
- The Atlanta Campus enrolled 192 learners in 2022. Of those learners, 94% were people of color and 45% were female.
- 88% of 2022-enrolled learners graduated, earning an average of $25/hr or more in post-training wages.
At Per Scholas, we believe the key to economic mobility is equitable access to education—that with the right resources and support, we all have the opportunity to thrive. For 28 years, a committed network of employers, community partners, and funders has helped Per Scholas provide our tuition-free program to more than 20,000 learners across the country. Together we invest in the potential of individuals committed to forging better pathways for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Unemployment is trending down, but earnings are not keeping pace with the cost of living.
Across the 30 largest tech employment markets in the U.S., there are more than 350,000 unfilled tech jobs each month that pay an average of $56,000 a year. 80,000 of these openings do not require a college degree. Yet in the same markets, 2.7 million adults are out of work, and millions more struggle to make ends meet in low-paying jobs. If we can help even a fraction of these individuals unlock their potential to join a thriving tech workforce, then economic conditions will improve for everyone.
PER SCHOLAS creates access to high-growth careers in technology by providing cutting-edge technical instruction and professional development, financial coaching and navigation from MSW-credentialed Learner Support Managers, and career coaching alongside direct connections to employers—all at no cost to our learners. Our Career Accelerator then boosts alumni toward a thriving wage through technical upskilling, continued career development, and networking opportunities. In 2022, we are proud to have supported more than 4,500 learners and alumni on their journeys. And despite the challenging economic challenges of the last few years, we are thrilled to report that of our graduates from 2021, 80% have launched careers earning nearly three times their pre-training wage—a benchmark for success that we know our more recent graduates will certainly attain.
We have been training diverse talent for 28 years, not just because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because we know it makes good business sense. Demand for tech talent remains strong and there are more job openings than there are qualified people to fill them. According to the World Economic Forum, by 2030 more than half of all jobs will require skills in digital technology. By training populations traditionally underrepresented in tech—women, people of color, those for whom college isn’t the right fit—we can help drive economic and social progress for all.
The business of changing lives takes a strong network of partners. We are grateful to the incredible system of support that makes our work possible and fuels our continued expansion. You will read about a few of them in this report, but it would not be possible to thank every donor, every volunteer, every staff member, or alumni who lent a helping hand to a learner taking the next step in their journey. But please know that we see you. Above all, this annual report is the story of what you have helped to make possible.
Plinio Ayala | President and CEO, Per Scholas
Lewis Miller | Co-Founder and Board Chair, Per Scholas
Per Scholas offers training across 22 major metropolitan areas in the U.S. with plans to increase our footprint to 25 cities by the year 2025. In 2023, we opened new locations in Houston, Indianapolis, and Los Angeles.
85% of Per Scholas learners identify as people of color
41% of Per Scholas learners identify as women
Over 54% have a high school diploma as their highest level of education
85% of Per Scholas learners graduated in 2022
Over 3.7K learners trained, including 2,500+ remotely
Over 2.1K graduates launched careers, earning an average of 3x their pre-training wage
767 alumni enrolled in upskilling opportunities to advance in their careerss
8:1 economic return for every dollar invested in Per Scholas
85% of Per Scholas learners identify as people of color
41% of Per Scholas learners identify as women
Over 54% have a high school diploma as their highest level of education
85% of Per Scholas learners graduated in 2022
Over 3.7K learners trained, including 2,500+ remotely
Over 2.1K graduates launched careers, earning an average of 3x their pre-training wage
767 alumni enrolled in upskilling opportunities to advance in their careerss
8:1 economic return for every dollar invested in Per Scholas
For nearly a decade, TEKsystems has partnered with Per Scholas and created access to opportunity for more than 1,000 diverse technologists, helping to unlock potential for individuals, their communities, and their employers. Our partnership goes beyond hiring—we share a purpose and a vision. We want to empower learners with the right skills for thriving careers and change the face of tech. I’m proud to serve on the Per Scholas National Board, and I’m confident that together with our Per Scholas partners we will continue to create opportunity and unlock potential for years to come."
Vice President, Global Human Resources, Talent Acquisition and Corporate Social Responsibility
During the pandemic, progress toward labor market equity regressed by 29 years, resulting in women losing about half of the economic gains they have realized since 1970. Tech careers can be a uniquely valuable pathway to economic mobility for women, yet only 26% of tech workers identify as female, and Black and brown women represent only 4% of people employed in tech roles. Per Scholas and our supporters are working to reverse that trend.
Whether Per Scholas is engaging new populations or innovating ways to improve outcomes for our learners, alumni, and employer partners, we are driven to do more.
Following the success of our partnership with ActivateWork in Denver, CO, Per Scholas has established a new model for expansion. By partnering with like-minded organizations and leveraging what each organization does best, we can scale to new cities more quickly and sustainably.
Thanks to our generous network of partners and supporters for helping us change the face of tech, and for unlocking transformative career opportunities for our learners across the United States.
Partners listed based on contributions received between July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023.
Program Name | Program Expense |
---|---|
Customized Training | $10,552,692 |
New York | $8,169,261 |
National Capital Region | $3,334,916 |
Newark | $2,632,393 |
Dallas | $2,456,385 |
Atlanta | $2,412,048 |
Columbus | $2,144,040 |
Greater Boston | $2,091,346 |
North Carolina | $1,605,593 |
Greater Cincinnati | $1,541,539 |
Baltimore | $1,054,440 |
Philadelphia | $987,959 |
Detroit | $934,793 |
Chicago | $884,123 |
Phoenix | $706,808 |
Pittsburgh | $679,483 |
Seattle | $649,033 |
St. Louis | $516,201 |
National Expansion | $372,575 |
Orlando | $198,672 |
Los Angeles | $169,747 |
Indianapolis | $152,102 |
Total Program Expenses | $44,246,149 |
Thanks to the contributions of our Board of Directors, Regional Advisory Boards, and our Diverse by Design Advisory Board, our programs are stronger, our courses surpass industry standards, and our national expansion is extending our impact across the country. To view members of local Advisory Boards, please click here.
S&P Global
G-Way Management
Per Scholas
Accenture
Ernst & Young LLP
Bregal Sagemount
Nubank
Alvarez & Marsal
TEKsystems
BNY Mellon
Catalyst Partners, LLC
PwC
KMS Technology
PIMCO
ActionPoint Advisors, LLC
MBM Elevate LLC
PGIM Investments
Comcast
Nonprofit Lawyer
Apollo Global Management LLC
TD Bank