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

[email protected] 

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.

Per Scholas North Carolina was featured on a news segment on “Positively Charlotte.” Per Scholas North Carolina Managing Director Michael Terrell joined alum Shana Franks on the program to discuss our no-cost training and recent $1 million grant from The BlackRock Foundation.

Watch the full segment here.