The BlackRock Foundation’s Investment in Per Scholas Is Expanding Economic Mobility Across North Carolina
New data shows 339 learners trained statewide through the grant, earning an average of 2.6X their pre-program income
Graduation ceremony held today in Uptown Charlotte celebrated graduates on pathways to tech careers

Charlotte, NC — December 18, 2025 — Today, free tech-training program Per Scholas North Carolina and The BlackRock Foundation celebrated a major milestone: 339 North Carolinians trained in less than one year through their IT workforce training initiative. New data shows graduates are earning, on average, 2.6 times their pre-program income, representing an estimated $100 million in lifetime earnings uplift.

Earlier this year, The BlackRock Foundation committed $1 million to Per Scholas North Carolina to expand access to high-quality tech training and prepare more North Carolinians for in-demand jobs. Less than a year into the partnership, the initiative is well on track to meet its two-year goal of training 530 learners, with graduates earning industry-recognized credentials and already securing in-demand jobs across the technology sector including Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, and Data Analytics.

The program is reaching those who stand to benefit most: 38% of graduates hold only a high school diploma, and 42% are parents with children under 18. The resulting estimated income gains are helping families build long-term financial stability.

“As a proud North Carolina resident, I’m thrilled to see The BlackRock Foundation partnering with Per Scholas to expand opportunity in the community,” said Carrie Schroen, a BlackRock Managing Director. “Helping more people experience financial well-being – including building the foundation for a secure retirement – is central to BlackRock’s purpose. We’re honored to invest in the region’s future. These students are not only building careers, they’re paving the way toward lasting financial security and I’m excited to see the impact they will make in our communities.”

One of today’s graduates, Tim Kinsey, enrolled in Per Scholas Western North Carolina’s IT Support course in June 2025 while he was juggling a series of hourly service jobs and earning below the region’s basic living-wage thresholds. Today, he graduated and has already secured a full-time Computer Support Technician I role with Henderson County, earning an annual salary nearly double his previous income and beginning a stable career track rarely accessible in rural counties without formal tech training.

“Before Per Scholas, I was piecing together several jobs just to get by,” said Tim Kinsey, Per Scholas North Carolina Graduate. “Now I’m stepping into a career with real growth, benefits, and the chance to build a future for my family — all while staying in the community I love.”

The program’s impact is especially significant in Western NC, where typical entry-level wages are $15–$17 per hour. Launched in partnership with Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College after Hurricane Helene, Per Scholas Western NC is creating pathways into resilient, higher-wage tech careers and is on track to train 100 rural learners by 2026.

“We’re just getting started in rural North Carolina, and the results already speak for themselves. When learners double or even triple their income, that’s not only life-changing for their families — it strengthens entire communities,” stated Per Scholas North Carolina Senior Managing Director Mike Terrell. “These are dollars that stay local, support small businesses, and help rural economies grow. Thanks to The BlackRock Foundation’s grant we’re proving what’s possible when talent meets opportunity.”

In North Carolina—where BlackRock has invested over $100 billion in NC-based public companies on behalf of clients—the BlackRock Foundation is partnering with Per Scholas to fuel greater economic opportunity. Through the firm’s investments on behalf of clients and The Foundation’s philanthropic support, BlackRock is supporting North Carolina families in taking steps to secure their financial futures.

“Tim’s story exemplifies the mission of The BlackRock Foundation,” said Claire Chamberlain, President of The BlackRock Foundation. “By ensuring people have the skills for in-demand jobs, Per Scholas is helping more North Carolinians get on the path to thriving wage careers in their own communities so they can support their families and build financial security.”

Today’s ceremony in Uptown Charlotte celebrated graduates’ achievements and featured remarks from Per Scholas alumni living in Charlotte and Western North Carolina, and from BlackRock Managing Director, Carrie Schroen.

Per Scholas also announced the launch of its third cohort in January, continuing its momentum and opening doors for even more North Carolinians in 2026. To register for the next cohort, check out the Per Scholas North Carolina registration page: https://perscholas.org/locations/northcarolina/.

Since launching in 2020, Per Scholas North Carolina has trained more than 1,000 learners, equipping them with critical tech skills such as Cybersecurity, End User Support and Salesforce Administrator. Alumni have earned jobs at employers including Capgemini, Humana, and Wells Fargo.

About The BlackRock Foundation

Guided by BlackRock’s purpose to help more and more people experience financial well-being, The BlackRock Foundation focuses on increasing economic security for low- to moderate- income households by helping them earn, save and invest – earlier, more often and for their futures. With our partners, we aim to support the building of a financial safety net to protect against shocks that widen disparities and make it easier to build wealth and support upward mobility.

About Per Scholas

As Per Scholas celebrates 30 years of impact, we are charting an ambitious path forward— expanding access to high-growth tech careers and fostering economic mobility nationwide. Since 1995, we’ve offered no-cost tech training to more than 30,000 technologists in the most sought-after tech skills, generating over $2 billion in increased personal earnings. On average, our learners earn 3x their pre-training wage in their first role after Per Scholas. With 25+ campuses and remote programs, we partner with employers—from Fortune 500 companies to startups—to create inclusive talent pipelines in fields like Cloud, Cybersecurity, Data Engineering, IT Support, and Software Engineering. More than half of our learners hold a high school diploma as their highest educational credential. We are building a future where successful careers in tech are accessible to everyone across urban, suburban, and rural communities, empowering individuals to unlock their potential and drive transformative economic change nationwide.

Learn more at PerScholas.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.

Charlotte, N.C., September 25, 2025 — Since launching in 2020, the Per Scholas North Carolina campus has trained over 1,000 learners, equipping them with critical tech skills such as Cybersecurity, End User Support and Salesforce Administrator. Our alumni have earned jobs at employers including Capgemini, Humana, and Wells Fargo.

Today, alongside community and employer partners, colleagues, alumni, and friends, Per Scholas North Carolina hosted its Five-Year Campus Celebration in Charlotte with remarks from Sherri Jones, Workforce & Career Development Manager, City of Charlotte; Leaton Harris, Vice President, Engagement and Inclusion, TEKsystems; and Kathleen Evans, Regional Director of External Affairs, AT&T. Jasmine Miller, Chief Program Officer, Per Scholas and Robin Nadeau, Regional Senior Vice President South, Per Scholas were also in attendance. A formal check presentation and reception followed. 

“I’m excited to celebrate this milestone not just for our team, but for the hundreds of North Carolinians who turned potential into thriving tech careers through Per Scholas, and I’m grateful to everyone who trusted us to be a part of their career journey. When we launched during the pandemic, our goal was to expand pathways to economic mobility for our neighbors, and five years later, I’m proud to say that we’ve helped generate more than $29 million in new wages in Charlotte and across North Carolina,” said Mike Terrell, Senior Managing Director, Per Scholas North Carolina. None of this would have been possible without our employer and philanthropic partners, and our incredible staff and alumni community—thank you for believing in this work. The next five years are about scaling and deepening our impact: continuing to expand our reach across North Carolina and sharpening our focus on in-demand skills so local companies can hire job-ready talent.” 

In addition to AT&T, Per Scholas North Carolina acknowledges the generous ongoing support of The BlackRock Foundation, Focusing Philanthropy, Truist Foundation, Leon Levine Foundation, Leonard G. Herring Foundation, Bank of America, City of Charlotte, Cloudera, Lenovo, Mecklenburg County, and TD Bank. Without our partners, our work would not be possible. 

“AT&T is proud to support Per Scholas and its mission to empower learners and prepare them to succeed in technology-based careers today and in the future. By providing access to digital skills training, career readiness instruction, and educational resources, we are equipping individuals with the tools they need to thrive in a 21st-century world,” said Kathleen Evans, Regional Director of External Affairs, AT&T North Carolina. “Together with Per Scholas, we are connecting more North Carolinians and empowering the next generation of technology leaders.” 

With a proven tech training model including both in-person and remote learning hubs, Per Scholas continues to unlock opportunities for individuals, strengthen communities, and drive business success across the greater North Carolina area. Notably, every dollar invested in Per Scholas yields an $8 net economic return. Per Scholas North Carolina is transforming lives and will now be shaping North Carolina’s future as a thriving technology hub by equipping Per Scholas Technologists with in-demand tech skills at no cost.

To learn more about Per Scholas North Carolina, follow them on LinkedIn or Per Scholas North Carolina.

Contact: Rafael Gerena, Vice President of Communications & Policy, Per Scholas

communications@perscholas.org. 

About Per Scholas                           

As Per Scholas celebrates 30 years of impact, we are charting an ambitious path forward, expanding access to high-growth tech careers and fostering economic mobility nationwide. Since 1995, we’ve offered no-cost tech training to more than 30,000 technologists in the most sought-after tech skills, generating over $35 billion in increased personal earnings. With 20+ campuses and remote programs, we partner with employers—from Fortune 500 companies to startups—to create inclusive talent pipelines in fields like Cloud, Cybersecurity, Data Engineering, IT Support, and Software Engineering. More than half of our learners hold a high school diploma as their highest educational credential. We are building a future where successful careers in tech are accessible to everyone across urban, suburban, and rural communities, empowering individuals to unlock their potential and drive transformative economic change nationwide.

Learn more at PerScholas.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.

About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T  

At AT&T, our corporate responsibility work is dedicated to bridging the digital divide across the country. We are committed to providing people of all ages and from every community with the essential resources they need to thrive in the digital era. For generations, we have supported programs that impact millions of individuals nationwide, and since 2021, we have committed $5 billion to initiatives that enhance connectivity, promote digital literacy, and improve access to high-speed internet. Our efforts particularly focus on uplifting underserved communities, including students, older adults, and those on tribal lands, ensuring everyone can participate in the digital world and benefit from its opportunities.

Charlotte, N.C., June 25, 2025  – Since launching in 2020, the Per Scholas North Carolina campus has trained more than 800 learners, equipping them with critical tech skills such as Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, and IT Support. Our alumni have earned jobs at employers including Capgemini, Humana, and Wells Fargo.

“Charlotte is a regional leader in energy innovation and clean technology, which makes it an ideal place to kick off this series,” says Mike Terrell, Senior Managing Director of Per Scholas North Carolina. “We’re excited to bring industry leaders together to explore how our graduates can drive progress in clean energy, grid modernization, and digital infrastructure, and bring fresh talent to every corner of the energy sector.”

Today, top leaders in the energy, utilities, and technology sectors explored the powerful intersection of innovation and workforce development among industry peers at Power Up: Charlotte, hosted at the Per Scholas North Carolina campus. Plinio Ayala, Chief Executive Officer, Per Scholas, Kenneth Walker, Executive Vice President, Inclusion & Culture, Per Scholas, and Omoanaste McCarther, Senior Director, Workforce Initiatives, Per Scholas, were also in attendance.The morning began with an Executive Breakfast, open to Director+ leaders. An industry-expert panel, open to the public, followed. The industry panel was moderated by Zach Boren, Senior Fellow – Work, Education, and Labor Division of the Urban Institute. Panelists included Paul Douglas, President at The JPI Group; Megan Howes, Assistant Director, Workforce Development, Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC); Michael Johnson, Senior Software Engineering Manager at Duke Energy; and Mike Terrell, Senior Managing Director at Per Scholas North Carolina. 

Monty McGee, Director of Cybersecurity Partnerships & Engagement at Edison Electric Institute, and Dr. Kristie Sauls, Program Director of NC Career Launch at the North Carolina Business Committee for Education, shared additional remarks. 

Per Scholas North Carolina hosted Power Up: Charlotte in collaboration with the Urban Institute, IREC, and CareerEquity. This grant-funded partnership delivers worker-centered training tailored to the energy sector’s IT needs.

Contact: Rafael Gerena, Vice President of Communications & Policy, Per Scholas

rgerena@perscholas.org 

About Per Scholas                           

As Per Scholas celebrates 30 years of impact, we are charting an ambitious path forward, expanding access to high-growth tech careers and fostering economic mobility nationwide. Since 1995, we’ve offered no-cost tech training to more than 30,000 technologists in the most sought-after tech skills, generating over $2 billion in increased personal earnings. On average, our learners earn 3x their pre-training wage in their first role after Per Scholas. With 20+ campuses and remote programs, we partner with employers—from Fortune 500 companies to startups—to create inclusive talent pipelines in fields like Cloud, Cybersecurity, Data Engineering, IT Support, and Software Engineering. More than half of our learners hold a high school diploma as their highest educational credential. We are building a future where successful careers in tech are accessible to everyone across urban, suburban, and rural communities, empowering individuals to unlock their potential and drive transformative economic change nationwide.

Learn more at PerScholas.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.

This event is part of the Power Up Series that was created by Per Scholas and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). DOL makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. The total cost of the Power IT project is $5,815,899. $5,000,000 (86 percent) is funded through the Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs Grant Program of the U.S. Department of Labor–Employment and Training Administration. The other $815,899 (14 percent) is funded through nonfederal resources.