Per Scholas is known across the country for its reputable workforce development model. Technical training, career advancement, and supplying a diverse workforce for the tech sector have become synonymous with the national nonprofit. But nearly two decades ago, Per Scholas was better known for its IT asset reconditioning.

In 1995, Per Scholas got its start by collecting used computers and recycling them to give to families and schools. There was even a retail store operated out of the Bronx, NY office which sold and repaired discounted tech equipment. As Per Scholas’ mission shifted from refurbishing computers to opening doors to technology careers, its asset recovery efforts changed too.

“We’ve consistently adjusted and improved our process for the better, in response to numerous industry requirements and specific client needs,” says ZuQuan Rooks, Director of Social Ventures.

Today, Per Scholas partners with a handful of vetted and highly-qualified recyclers to outsource its IT asset recovery services. The e-Steward, R2 and ISO-certified recycler Liquid Technology, has become a Champion Partner of the organization. Six years ago, Liquid Technology began hiring Per Scholas graduates and donating computer hardware, which led to a positive and mutually-beneficial relationship.

“Liquid Technology is highly pivotal in delivering this important business solution to many of our client-partners,” Rooks says. “Any revenue generated from valuable retired hardware goes toward our important social mission. We proudly share with our partners the specific impact of their material support and use of our asset recovery services.”

Brenda Rodriguez, Manager of Social Ventures, handles communications with clients, coordinates logistics, and manages Per Scholas’ relationship with recycling partners, such as Liquid Technology. “We’ve had to become more selective about which donations we are able to accept,” Brenda says about all the donation offers she gets on a daily basis. She adds, “Although any donation offers are appreciated, not all are beneficial to our mission.” We are careful to ensure that the related costs inherent with their collection do not outweigh the value and volume of the donated equipment.”

On behalf of Per Scholas, Liquid Technology audits, tests and re-markets any hardware that has residual value, and recycles all obsolete hardware in an environmentally-responsible manner. When it comes to the recycling of retired tech equipment, Eric DeRosa, Director of Sales, Liquid Technology, rhetorically adds, “Since responsible e-waste management is a bonafide business solution which companies are legally required to do anyway, why not make sure it’s performed in a compliant manner and supports a good cause?”

Since industry standards and requirements for legal compliance have grown tremendously, Per Scholas urges companies to put their hardware in highly-qualified hands. Fox Sports, Mastercard International, Ford Foundation, IRS, Montefiore Medical Systems, Queens Library System and Amazon.com, among others, have trusted Per Scholas with the handling of their retired IT assets.

Last year Liquid Technology, among others, helped Per Scholas recycle 139,490 pounds of equipment. That’s 732,581 total pounds of carbon emissions that were prevented from entering Earth’s atmosphere. That’s equivalent to 1,061,712 plastic bottles!

Although Per Scholas administrates its asset recovery business out of its New York office, the Social Ventures team works with and constantly seeks national and global clientele. If your company would like Per Scholas to collect and process its retired tech equipment to directly benefit motivated, yet under-served technology students, please email ZuQuan Rooks at [email protected] for more information.

The International Association of Workforce Professionals held its 105th conference this past June to discuss the latest trends and information relative to workforce professionals. Currently, the United States is trying out for solutions to its growing jobs crisis. Many adults—particularly individuals with no more than a high school education—struggle to obtain and maintain jobs that pay enough to support their families and permit upward mobility. At the same time, some employers report difficulty finding employees with the right skills to meet their needs.

Per Scholas had the opportunity to screen“Solutions to America’s Workforce Crisis,” produced and directed by the What Works Media Project. Through the stories and experiences of students, program leadership, employees, and employers, the audience was  brought to a shared understanding of what makes training models like Per Scholas successful as well as the potential for positive impact made possible by investing in working models.

Following the film, Jason Skidmore, Per Scholas Advisory Board Member and CEO of Vernovis, led and moderated panel discussion on employer-facing job training, the value of cross-sector collaboration, and using evidence to drive innovation. Panelists included Lauren Moore, Software Quality Analyst, Thrive Impact Sourcing; Leslie Courtney, Senior Director, Kroger; Jordan Vogel, Vice President, Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce; and Paul Cashen, Managing Director, Per Scholas.

The panel discussed a myriad of topics, including the value that Per Scholas training provides to its students, the importance of providing a diverse workforce and the value hiring and community partners.

The panel also highlighted the commitment companies like Kroger and institutions like the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce have pledged to developing the Cincinnati Community.

We’d like to thank all of the panelist and attendees of the panel, and look forward to being a staple in the workforce development community of Cincinnati.

ComSpark Announces Per Sholas as 2018 Nonprofit Tech Talent Partner

For Immediate Release: 06.04.2018

Contact:

Jacob McIntosh, Manager, Marketing and Events

[email protected] 978 578 6821

CINCINNATI – ComSpark, the leading news and online hub celebrating the people and innovations driving Cincinnati’s growing technology community, is thrilled to introduce Per Scholas as its 2018 Nonprofit Tech Talent partner.

Per Scholas is a national nonprofit that provides rigorous and tuition-free technology training, and professional development for overlooked communities in Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio as well as Atlanta, Dallas, the National Capital Region and New York. The organization works closely alongside employer networks to develop informed curriculum designed for jobs that are available today and support graduates to find fulfilling careers. 

ComSpark has built a strong network of technology leaders in Cincinnati. This network celebrates people with a passion for technology and innovation. Per Scholas will provide a direct link to the growing local talent pool that is trained with these employers in-mind.  

Recruiting premier talent has been a significant challenge for IT employers, especially considering the growing skills gap in the job market. By recognizing Per Scholas as the Nonprofit Tech Talent Partner, ComSpark plans to strengthen employer connections to a leading talent provider and support a community resource that provides fulfilling careers to individuals and their families.

“Cincinnati’s growing technology community is looking everywhere for well-trained, local talent” says Paul Cashen, Managing Director of Per Scholas Cincinnati and a member of the ComSpark host committee. “We are excited to solidify a partnership that will allow us to better source well-trained and educated workers into full-time positions in the industry. A good job for our graduates means good business for employers.” 

About Per Scholas

Per Scholas is a national nonprofit that drives positive and proven social change in communities across the country. Through rigorous and tuition-free technology training and professional development, we prepare motivated and curious adults who are unemployed or underemployed for successful careers as IT professionals, and we create onramps to businesses in need of their talents. Today we provide our solutions in six cities across the country: Atlanta, Greater Cincinnati, Columbus, Ohio; Dallas, the National Capital Region and New York. To date, Per Scholas has trained 7,000 individuals, helping them build lasting, life-changing skills and careers in technology. To learn more, visit www.perscholas.org.

About ComSpark 

ComSpark.tech’s mission is to celebrate the people and innovations driving the growing tech community. As the community’s online home and information hub, we strive to: 

• Champion the value of community for people with a passion for technology and innovation, giving them an online stage where they can share ideas and foster inspiration. 
• Serve as the primary daily news source and voice for the tech and innovation sector throughout the business week, offering an online newsletter subscription for additional pertinent information.
• Celebrate success and accomplishment and promote personal growth and development by highlighting thought leaders, employee promotions, product roll outs and positive news about the tech and innovation community.
• Enhance networking and relationships through special ongoing networking events, leadership award programs and other community recognitions, fostering a deeper sense of esprit de corps.
• Provide the primary tool to mobilize tech enthusiasts with continuing updates pertaining to the annual, two-day ComSpark Tech and Innovation Summit, which celebrates the technology revolution and champions the tech and innovation ecosystem.

ComSpark.tech is a media property of LEAD Tribune Media Group, a privately held company based in Cincinnati, Ohio.

On April 10th, 2018 Per Scholas President & CEO, Plinio Ayala, was invited to speak on a workforce solutions panel to an audience of legislators, congressional staff and business. North Carolina Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, Chair of the House Committee on Education and Workforce and fellow Illinois committee member Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, invited Per Scholas and Apprenticeship Carolina to present innovative workforce models backed by compelling evidence.

The afternoon event, organized by Results for America, treated legislators to a showing of Solutions to America’s Workforce Crisis, a recently premiered documentary, featuring Per Scholas as an evidence-based model increasing income and reducing public assistance for graduates. The film and panel asked lawmakers to consider investments in workforce organizations that are proving impact.

“There has never been a time in our country with so many organizations that have proven social impact, and yet the amount of government spending on these programs is at an all time low” says Plinio Ayala speaking to the room.

Per Scholas’ model is heralded for its innovative approach to serving employers as the primary customer and leveraging wrap-around support services for students using an expansive community network. One Congressional staffer asked what set the model apart. “We work directly with employers to offer feedback on the curriculum we develop. We have staff onsite who can speak the same language as the technical and hiring teams. We are not working with HR departments at these companies, we are working with hiring decision makers, the managers, the supervisors” said Plinio.

Per Scholas has recently launched a series of customized training partnerships that put students in direct hiring pipelines with major technology employers. The customized training offers free hands on skills, career development resources and interview opportunities with leading tech companies. This model is an extension of Per Scholas’ mission to identify local, diverse talent and open the doors to fulfilling careers within the IT workforce.

For Immediate Release: 03. 28. 2018

Contacts:

Jake McIntosh, Director, Strategic Communications, Per Scholas

[email protected] –  978.578.6821

New York – Per Scholas is thrilled to announce the addition of Eric Westphal to its National Board. Per Scholas is a national workforce nonprofit that provides rigorous and tuition-free technology training and professional development in careers such as IT in Atlanta, Ga.; Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio; Dallas, Texas; Washington, D.C. and New York. Per Scholas’ National Board provides leadership and guidance for carrying out the organization’s mission of opening doors to technology careers for individuals from often overlooked communities.

Westphal serves as Senior Director, Global Legal and Corporate Affairs for Cognizant.   Ranked No. 205 on the Fortune 500, Cognizant is a leading global technology and business services company, and a Champion Partner of Per Scholas since 2017.   Westphal joined the company in 2011 and is responsible for building and supporting Cognizant’s corporate brand and reputation through programs that drive social change and business value. He leads strategic investments in workforce development as well as initiatives related to Cognizant’s corporate social responsibility program in the United States.

Westphal was central to developing and implementing a recently launched custom Cognizant/Per Scholas training partnership designed to provide U.S. workers with access to skills training and hiring opportunities in the digital economy. In June 2017, Per Scholas and Cognizant announced the first scaled training and hiring partnership, opening a training center in The Bronx with the goal of training 650 individuals recruited from five boroughs. Cognizant and Per Scholas more recently launched a program in North Texas with the goal of training 1,000 individuals over the course of 36 months. Cognizant expects to hire the majority of graduates from both programs. Per Scholas and Cognizant teams work closely to ensure that students receive instruction on nuanced technical job specifications and business acumen.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to support Per Scholas in developing new innovative workforce development approaches that will significantly impact the future of work,” says Westphal. “The benefits of these programs will be seen well beyond the individual students. These are programs that can have positive impact in their families, neighborhoods and the business community.”

“Eric’s executive leadership deepens our understanding of sustainability as Per Scholas moves to scale our impact across the country. His passion for creating opportunity in overlooked communities aligns perfectly with our mission,” says Plinio Ayala, President & CEO for Per Scholas. “Eric’s background, building cross-sectoral partnerships, combines the expertise of public, private and nonprofit leaders and will support shared growth for Per Scholas business partners within the communities we serve.”

For more information on Per Scholas, visit: http://www.perscholas.org

About Per Scholas

Per Scholas is a national nonprofit that drives positive and proven social change in communities across the country. Through rigorous and tuition-free technology training and professional development, we prepare motivated and curious adults who are unemployed or underemployed for successful careers as IT professionals, and we create onramps to businesses in need of their talents. Today we provide our solutions in six cities across the country: Atlanta, GA; Greater Cincinnati, OH; Columbus, OH; Dallas, TX; the National Capital Region; and New York. To date, Per Scholas has trained more than 7,000 individuals, helping them build lasting, life changing skills and careers in technology.

Deris Pennington is a family man. As the oldest of his three kids starts to look ahead to his high school graduation, Deris is thinking a lot about the example he sets for his children. They know him as a bit of an egg-head, a Jeopardy fan who knows something about everything, a responsible dad who is always up for helping with homework, and a stalwart coach whose enthusiasm and energy has guided their basketball teams since they were little.

Deris finished second in his class in high school, but family obligations prevented him from completing his degree in a joint program at North Carolina Central University and Georgia Tech. “I was looking for an opportunity to show my kids a level of commitment. I wanted them to see me work toward a new goal and finish something” says Deris, as he considers the motivations that led him to take the IT Support course at Per Scholas in Cincinnati. “Getting my A+ certification while also taking an entrepreneurship course at Xavier University was a lot of work. I was studying side-by-side with my kids, and it was important for them to see that I had an idea, a vision of what I wanted, and that I was seeing it through.”

Deris had spent years in jobs that he calls “tech adjacent”. Working as a project coordinator at a community health center, he led an effort to modernize the way that patient data collection helped to deliver care, and he convinced the health center to bring in social workers to help overlooked populations access services. Later, in the mobile telecommunications field, Deris managed 36 service desk representatives at a company that handles bulk wireless accounts for corporate clients. Still, as Deris looked to save enough for his family’s future, he felt that earning a certification was the missing rung on the ladder to reaching the next level in the tech field. When he found himself back on the job market, a Per Scholas flyer at a job fair helped him to see a path forward.

“Juggling class every day with my family life was definitely a challenge.” Says Deris. “At my age, my personal CPU already has so much going on, between the kids doing sports, my youngest daughter taking ballet, and juggling all of their schedules with my wife. I had to be driven to get through Per Scholas.” Deris was up to the challenge. He was voted class president and finished his IT Support course as valedictorian, which he couldn’t have achieved without the support of his wife, Patrice.

After graduation, Deris found a job as a contractor with  TEKSystems, a Per Scholas Signature Partner, working on an Internet Security team for an insurance group. It’s challenging work, and he says that the knowledge he gained at Per Scholas is helping him to expand his role on the team. He also has his sights set on the future. Deris is making plans to open a “Youth Tech Café”.

“I think of it as a place where kids can start to learn technology skills before they are old enough to come to Per Scholas. It’s not just a simulator where kids can fix computers, it’s also a place where they can do their homework, hang out after school, and have access to technology.”

Deris thinks of the Youth Tech Café as an extension of his years of coaching experience, and his role as a father. As a coach and a dad, he has always had the leadership skills and smarts to inspire kids at home and on the basketball court. Now he has the tech knowledge he needs to teach kids about new pathways for building futures of their own.