How Per Scholas Scales Tech Careers with CompTIA

As artificial intelligence reshapes the labor market, workforce organizations are under pressure to deliver stronger outcomes while adapting to rapid change. In a recent webinar, Dr. Mardy Leathers of CompTIA  and Plinio Ayala, CEO of Per Scholas discussedhow data, credentials, and AI can be used in practical ways to scale impact.

A central theme of the conversation, and reinforced in a recent CompTIA case study and thought leadership piece, was the widening gap between access to information and the ability to apply it effectively. As Leathers noted, the challenge is not data scarcity, but a shortage of expertise. The ability to analyze, filter, and apply information is becoming a defining skill in an AI-driven economy.

Industry-recognized credentials, including those from CompTIA, play a critical role in closing that gap. As highlighted in CompTIA’s recent case study on Per Scholas, structured certification pathways help translate foundational IT and cybersecurity training into stackable, career-aligned skills. This creates a shared baseline of competency for both learners and workforce practitioners, while enabling clearer progression into advanced technical roles.

Per Scholas demonstrates how this approach can scale. Over the past 30 years, the organization has expanded from a local initiative into a national leader in workforce development, serving learners in more than 20 cities and working toward a goal of training 25,000 technologists annually by 2030.

That growth has been fueled by empowered leadership, disciplined use of data, and strong partnerships. By distributing decision making and building complementary teams, Per Scholas has created space for innovation while maintaining focus on outcomes. Data plays a critical role in that model. As emphasized in both the webinar discussion and CompTIA’s blog on “leading with data, not hype,” clear metrics guide new initiatives, and insights are used to refine programs over time. This approach allows teams to adapt quickly, focus on what works, and move on from what does not.

Partnerships further extend reach. Through its satellite model, Per Scholas works with local organizations to deliver training in new communities, combining centralized instruction with on-the-ground support. AI is also being used as a force multiplier. From improving candidate matching to enhancing learning support, these tools are helping connect more learners to opportunity. At the same time, Ayala emphasized that AI adoption must be responsible, equitable, and aligned with mission.

To prepare learners for this shift, Per Scholas has embedded AI literacy across its programs, ensuring graduates not only earn industry-recognized credentials like CompTIA certifications, but also develop the fluency to apply emerging tools effectively in the workplace.Together, these strategies show how workforce organizations can scale impact in an AI-driven economy—by combining trusted credentials, data-informed decision-making, and mission-aligned partnerships.

To hear the full conversation and dive deeper into these insights, watch the webinar recording of Plinio Ayala and Dr. Mardy Leathers.