Per Scholas NextGen IT Support (AI-Powered) FAQs

It’s our 15-week IT Support program with the same A+ certification track we’ve always run. What’s new is how it’s delivered: 

• Live Instruction: You will spend 2 hours every morning in a live, interactive digital classroom with an expert Per Scholas instructor.
• AI-Powered Practice: For the rest of the day, you will work through guided self-paced technical labs and simulations alongside a dedicated AI learning tutor named Azari.

Same curriculum, same Per Scholas standards, same Workplace Simulation model. The AI does not replace our staff; it is an additional resource on top of what we already do to ensure you get instant feedback and never feel stuck.

• Self-directed learning history (has taught themselves something, finished an online course, used YouTube to solve a problem)
• Comfort with iteration and getting unstuck
• Ability to manage their own schedule
• Curiosity about AI tools (not fear, not over-reliance)

Azari is built on Anthropic’s Claude API, so it shares a foundation with Claude.ai that has been customized for Per Scholas. It knows the course content, knows the learner’s progress, and is trained on our Workplace Simulation model. It’s not a generic chatbot. It’s a tutor that lives inside our LMS.

You will engage with the digital learner platform in three primary ways throughout the day:

• Short interactive concept videos: 5 to 10 minute explainers featuring an AI avatar to introduce new concepts.
• Slides and Readings with Knowledge Checkpoints. Dynamic slides and text blocks followed by quick “did you get it?” prompts from Azari to ensure you are absorbing the material.
• Guided Practice with Azari. Real-world labs, exercises, and assessments where Azari walks you through a skill, asks them to demonstrate it, and provides immediate, personalized feedback.

Learners chat with Azari throughout the day in a sidebar (think Claude.ai, but inside our LMS). They can ask questions, get unstuck, request examples, or just talk through what they’re learning.

No. The 9 to 11 AM block is hands-on. Below are examples of what instructors run:

• Live troubleshooting walkthroughs with real scenarios
• Q&A on the prior day’s AI content (instructor catches gaps)
• Pod-based work (3 to 5 learners) on a Workplace Simulation ticket
• Demonstrations of complex skills (network config, hardware diagnostics)
• Stand-ups: each learner shares what they got done, what they’re stuck on, what’s next

The instructor is acting as a coach more than a lecturer, and learners should come prepared. 

On in-person days, after the morning live block, learners stay on campus and do the AI portion together in the classroom. They’ve got instructors floating between them, peer help, and the same workplace simulation environment Per Scholas has always used. It’s not “watch videos alone at home.” It’s the same shared workspace, with more flexible content delivery.

In addition, learners have the option of completing the AI portion from home or campus on In-Person days. Plus, it’s easy to get in touch with your instructor.  Not only is the campus open 9 to 4 on Mondays – Fridays, but you can always message them directly or even set up live Zoom sessions. If you choose to stay on campus, you should bring headphones for the independent learning sections of their day. 

For fully remote cohorts, all instruction and support is remote, but the structure is the same.

While the NextGen model maintains the rigorous training and professional development Per Scholas is known for, it introduces a more personalized and tech-forward approach.   Think of NextGen as a career-simulation rather than just a classroom.  In a traditional setting, you might follow a fixed daily schedule.  NextGen leverages an adaptive learning platform that allows you to move through material at a pace that matches your mastery.  This means you can spend more time on challenging concepts and accelerate through areas where you already excel.

Absolutely not. Human connection is the heart of Per Scholas. Your instructor is an IT expert who leads the cohort, runs live workshops, teaches complex technical skills, and mentors you daily.  Because an instructor cannot sit one-on-one with every learner simultaneously, Azari handles the repetitive “let’s walk through this concept again” tutoring. This frees up your instructor and Professional Development (PD)/Career Coach to act like personal technical coaches, focus on deep-dive reviews, and provide high-level mentorship. 

Per Scholas takes data privacy very seriously. We use vetted, enterprise-grade AI platforms that strictly comply with corporate security standards. Any data used within our learning platforms is protected, and we provide clear guidelines on what information should and should not be shared with AI tools to ensure your privacy and professional integrity.

Not at all! Our courses are designed to meet you where you are. We will provide the training and tools necessary to use AI effectively, ethically, safely, and efficiently to solve technical problems. 

Because the NextGen model is explicitly built around an AI-driven learning platform, the AI blocks make up roughly 70% of your structured technical training time. Engaging with these tools is a mandatory, core part of the curriculum.  Furthermore, modern tech employers expect entry-level professionals to know how to leverage AI to solve problems faster and more accurately. If you are deeply uncomfortable using AI tools, we recommend applying for our traditional, fully instructor-led IT Support course tracks instead.  If you’re nervous but open, know that the Instructor and PD/Career Coach time is real human contact.  

One of the biggest strengths of the NextGen model is its “learner-centric” flexibility. Traditional classrooms often move at a single, fixed pace, but our digital tools allow you to customize your learning environment. Whether you prefer visual vs. text-based labs, need to utilize assistive technologies, or want to accelerate through topics you already excel at while taking extra time on complex modules, the technology acts as a bridge to support your unique learning style. 

The program requires approximately 6.5 hours of structured learning time per day, which includes:

• 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Required live, hands-on instruction (group troubleshooting, tech stand-ups, and network/hardware demonstrations).
• 3.5 Hours: Flexible AI-led learning blocks.
• Break Times: A 1-hour lunch and a 30-minute break are built into the day.

On In-Person/Hybrid campus days, the campus stays open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. After the morning live block, you have the option to stay in our collaborative campus coworking space to complete your AI labs alongside your peers and floating instructors, or you can complete the afternoon AI blocks remotely with virtual instructor support available until 4:00 PM.

Reference the following illustration to see how three different students fit the flexible NextGen IT Support schedule into their busy lives. They just attend the required morning class, then complete their self-paced AI blocks anytime before midnight!

The program is built on Competency-Based Mastery, meaning we don’t wait for a crisis to happen. Azari logs your technical progress in real-time, allowing your Instructional Lead to proactively see if you are struggling with a concept. If you find a topic difficult, you can instantly revisit past modules, utilize supplemental labs, and engage in targeted 1-on-1 tutoring sessions to ensure you’ve mastered the skill before moving forward. 

Same daily template (9am to 11am Live, 3.5 hours AI, 11am-4pm PD coach support available). The content shifts to job search prep:

• Resume writing and LinkedIn optimization
• Mock interviewing
• Networking strategies
• Career planning and goal setting
• JRA (Job Readiness Assessment) prep

A PD Coach runs the 9am to 11am Live block. Azari supports the AI portions with deliverable production (resume drafts, JRA video recording, peer reviews).

Yes. Cert-prep weeks are pure tech. Learners are prepping for the A+ exam during that stretch. The PD content for those weeks shifts to later in the course so nothing gets dropped.

Yes, absolutely. NextGen graduates achieve the exact same national standard for graduation, work with the same Talent Solutions team, complete the same Job Readiness Assessments, and gain full access to our employer hiring network.

In fact, the NextGen model is explicitly designed to look like a career simulation rather than a traditional classroom. Modern tech companies rely heavily on asynchronous communication, digital collaboration tools, and independent problem-solving. By learning to research and resolve issues using an AI assistant, you build technical autonomy—the exact skill tech employers tell us they value most in Day 1 candidates.

What makes NextGen a compelling option for certain learners is the format itself. It mirrors how many tech roles actually operate today, with remote, hybrid, and asynchronous workflows built into the learning experience. We believe that prepares graduates not just with technical skills, but with the working patterns employers are already using. That said, we’re continuing to build the comparative outcome data across modalities, and we’re committed to tracking attainment performance at the same level of rigor across all of them. If you’re evaluating graduates from either track, the standard we’re holding ourselves to is the same. 

We are incredibly excited to provide you with access to this cutting-edge learning technology and innovative approach to tech training. Because we are committed to delivering an exceptional experience, we continuously track and build comparative outcome data across all our training modalities. 

Your voice is a critical part of this process. We view our learners as active partners in shaping the future of tech education. If there are areas where we can enhance your experience, or if you have constructive insights, we take that feedback seriously. Please share your input directly with your instructor or instructional lead so we can rapidly iterate, support your personal success, and continue making the program even stronger for future cohorts.