Organizations will focus on educating a diverse and technologically skilled workforce.

SALT LAKE CITY (January 25, 2020) – Building on its mission to change lives for the better by creating pathways to opportunity, nonprofit Western Governors University’s (WGU) College of Information Technology today announced a transfer articulation partnership with nonprofit technology workforce development organization Per Scholas. Alumni of Per Scholas—which delivers tuition-free, market-relevant IT education in 14 major metro areas across the U.S.—will now be eligible to receive credit from their Per Scholas education toward a WGU IT bachelor’s degree program.

WGU and Per Scholas have the shared belief that equitable access to education is the greatest catalyst for change. Particularly, information technology education provides for a more diverse and equitable workforce and economy as it moves individuals to thriving wage careers. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate effect on communities of color and women, and there is an imperative need to address social inequities that leave individuals at the margins and deter them from learning.

“Careers in technology provide some of the highest wages and growth potential in our economy,” said Dr. Elke Leeds, Dean and Academic Vice President of WGU’s College of IT. “It’s not news that technology has a diversity problem, and we remain committed to expanding access to the learning and skills needed for employment, and the degree needed for advancing in a technology career. Social justice is advanced through equitable education and with rigorous technology education, Per Scholas is making its impact by increasing access to tech training, in particular for women and people of color, communities often underrepresented in technology fields.   We are thrilled to partner with Per Scholas and provide their alumni with pathways to further their educations and careers.”

Through a network of philanthropic funding and grants, Per Scholas provides tuition-free, bootcamp-style technology education in IT support, cybersecurity, and software engineering to diverse learner populations. With a network of more than 500 employer partners, 80% of Per Scholas graduates found a job within one year of graduating. WGU’s recognition of Per Scholas’ training now provides graduates with their next opportunity in education and career advancement. WGU’s online degree programs allow learners to work toward their degree on their own time, and its competency-based education model measures learning rather than seat time. This allows learners to progress as soon as they master skills and graduate with a bachelor’s degree within two-and-a-half years on average.

“We’re incredibly excited about this partnership with WGU, especially knowing the benefits and value it represents for the Per Scholas community,” said Bridgette Gray, Per Scholas Chief Impact Officer. “For our alumni who are looking to move into middle management roles, many companies still require an undergraduate degree. This partnership gives our graduates significant credits toward a degree in Information Technology at an outstanding university that not only offers affordable tuition, but also coursework flexibility. This provides our graduates who enroll at WGU with greater value for the hard work and time that they invested into their Per Scholas coursework and the certificates they earned, putting our alumni that much closer to achieving the next goal in their career progression.” 

In the months and years to come, WGU and Per Scholas will seek to advance their partnership to be stewards of equitable access to technology education and will roll out local and regional enrollment efforts. To learn more about the partnership visit wgu.edu/lp/information-technology/per-scholas.html. For employers and philanthropic partner interests, please contact Brad Angevine at Per Scholas. 

About WGU

Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, online, nonprofit WGU now serves more than 129,000 students nationwide and has more than 215,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation as the nation’s leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In just 24 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families, and preparing the workforce needed in today’s rapidly evolving economy. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at wgu.edu.

About Per Scholas

Per Scholas is a national organization that has been advancing economic mobility for 25 years. Through rigorous training, professional development and robust employer connections, we prepare individuals traditionally underrepresented in technology for high-growth careers in the industry. We partner with leading employers to build more diverse talent pools, directly connecting our graduates to new career opportunities with leading employers, from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. With campuses in 14 cities, Per Scholas has trained more than 12,000 individuals in tech skills, building bridges to careers in technology. To learn more, please visit perscholas.org.

Economic Opportunity Challenge Will Help Train Individuals to Launch Successful Careers in Technology

Chicago, IL, December 15, 2020 – Today, Lever for Change announced premier technology workforce development organization Per Scholas as the recipient of the $10 million Economic Opportunity Challenge. Per Scholas advances economic equity through rigorous, tuition-free training for careers in IT and connects skilled talent from underserved communities to leading businesses. The “Proven Pathways to Transformative Careers in Tech” project was selected from a pool of 160 applicants and five finalists.

Over the next three years, Per Scholas will use the grant to disrupt generational cycles of poverty affecting more than 13,000 individuals seeking technology careers in cities across the U.S. With this funding, Per Scholas will expand 14 of its existing in-person training locations, launch 10 new ones, and scale new remote offerings to help triple the number of people trained by 2023. 

The Economic Opportunity Challenge was designed to scale a game-changing solution to improve the economic health of low-income families in the U.S.

“All of the finalists in this Challenge presented compelling ideas for expanding economic opportunities that warrant funding beyond the grants received as a result of the competition,” said Cecilia Conrad, CEO of Lever for Change. “The donors were particularly inspired by the vision of the Per Scholas team to strengthen untapped talent in our country.”

The sponsors of the Challenge, who wish to remain anonymous, are seeking additional donors to fund Per Scholas, as well as a number of other highly rated organizations that applied to the Challenge, to ensure that these outstanding projects secure the resources they need to carry out their vital work. 

In this regard, Focusing Philanthropy, a multi-year philanthropic partner of Per Scholas, has committed at least $5 million of additional funding to implement Per Scholas’ winning vision articulated in the Economic Opportunity Challenge. Catalyzing the “Proven Pathways to Transformative Careers in Tech” project is Focusing Philanthropy’s second “Bold Initiative” – a transformative, large-scale multi-year partnership to support a proven effective model with an established implementation partner. 

“We know proper education and focused job training address two of the root causes of poverty, and workforce development programs can be an effective intervention method,” said Larry Gilson, Chairman of Focusing Philanthropy. “Per Scholas is especially attractive because it designs training courses collaboratively with partner companies, tailored to their specific recruitment needs. This is why Per Scholas graduates have such a high hiring rate and command good wages in career track jobs.”

“COVID-19 has not only changed the way we live our lives, but also transformed the way we think about work and education,” said Plinio Ayala, President and CEO of Per Scholas. “In light of pandemic-induced layoffs, business closures, and economic hardship, it’s crucial that we help people prepare for the jobs of tomorrow. This incredible award is a down payment on a more equitable economic recovery. Generous support from the Economic Opportunity Challenge donors and Focusing Philanthropy will seed a growth fund that will enable Per Scholas to scale rapidly across the U.S.”

Lever for Change is featuring Per Scholas, and all of the other Economic Opportunity Challenge finalists below, in its Bold Solutions Network. The Network seeks to match additional donors and funding with nonprofits and social enterprises whose solutions to significant social challenges were ranked highly after rigorous evaluation in Lever for Change competitions. 

• Skills for America’s Future: Changing Lives Through a Jobs-First Model: Skills for Chicagoland’s Future will drive economic mobility in 17 cities by placing 10,325 low-income individuals into meaningful employment over the next five years.
• Moving Families Out of Poverty Permanently: Family Independence Initiative (FII) will partner with the City of Chicago to move low-income families out of poverty, permanently. FII will invest directly in the existing strengths and solutions of low-income families and their communities, and remove the deficit-based criteria traditionally used to access support.
• Making Freedom Free: Bail and Economic Mobility in the South: The Bail Project will provide free bail assistance and wraparound services in six additional jurisdictions in the South and advocate for systemic changes to the pre-trial system.
• Chicago Asset-Building for Children (Chicago ABCs): Chicago ABCs, a coalition made up of the Chicago Community Trust, Heartland Alliance, Community Organizing and Family Issues, Family Independence Initiative, Chicago Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office will braid three proven strategies: child savings accounts, cash transfers, and visiting nurses in a dual generation approach to propel 4,600 families to economic security.

Applications for the Economic Opportunity Challenge were evaluated during a three-month review process by more than 120 philanthropic and civic leaders, as well as subject matter experts in economic development, public policy, youth opportunity, economic justice, and regional planning, among other issue areas. Applications were evaluated based on four criteria: magnitude of impact, strength of evidence, likelihood of success, and potential for scale.

Donors interested in funding outstanding projects identified in this Challenge or who wish to learn more about our services may contact Dana Rice, Vice President of Philanthropy at Lever for Change.

More information on the Economic Opportunity Challenge can be found at www.economicopportunitychallenge.org. 

Per Scholas 

Per Scholas is a national organization that has been advancing economic mobility for 25 years. Through rigorous training, professional development, and robust employer connections, we prepare individuals traditionally underrepresented in technology for high-growth careers in the industry. We partner with leading employers to build more diverse talent pools, directly connecting our graduates to new career opportunities at businesses ranging from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. With campuses in 14 cities, Per Scholas has trained more than 12,000 individuals in tech skills, building bridges to careers in technology.  

Lever for Change

Lever for Change, a nonprofit affiliate of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, helps donors to find and fund solutions to the world’s greatest challenges, ranging from racial and gender equity to economic development and climate change. Building on the success of the MacArthur Foundation’s $100 million competition, 100&Change, Lever for Change customizes and manages open and transparent competitions for donors. In addition, we match donors with nonprofits and social enterprises in our Bold Solutions Network whose solutions to significant social challenges were highly ranked after rigorous evaluation in one of our competitions. Currently, Lever for Change is managing nine competitions, ranging in size from $10-to-100 million, awarding $295 million to grant recipients and strengthening dozens of top organizations. For more information, visit www.leverforchange.org. 

Focusing Philanthropy

Focusing Philanthropy is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that believes donations should be made with the same level of strategic intent, information, and confidence as other investments. The organization targets serious human challenges that individual donors can successfully address, chooses tactics that are demonstrably effective, identifies confidence-inspiring implementing partners, conducts ongoing monitoring, and assures substantive reporting. Over the past several years, Focusing Philanthropy has deployed more than $65 million with significant impact on the lives of over 4.5 million people. Its services are provided free to both donors and implementing partners in an effort to scale interventions that work. Donations are fully tax deductible, and Focusing Philanthropy covers all administrative costs and replenishes credit card transaction fees so that 100% of funds contributed go to implementing partners. For more information, visit www.focusingphilanthropy.org. 

Prudential Financial Awards Per Scholas a $1 Million, Multi-Year Commitment to Help Close the Tech Opportunity Gap for Black and Latino Workers in Newark

In light of COVID-19, the partnership aims to ensure economic security and professional success for some of New Jersey’s hardest hit workers

Newark, NJ – December 9, 2020 – Today, national tech training nonprofit Per Scholas announced that it has received a $1 million, multi-year grant from Prudential Financial to support its program operations in Newark. The goal is to help prepare low-income and minority communities for jobs in today’s growing tech sector. Over the next three years, the funds will be used to enroll over 500 students in training tracks like cloud data management, software engineering, network support, and cybersecurity as a way to meet local employer needs. In addition to tuition-free curriculum, Per Scholas Newark students will also receive career support services, financial coaching, and networking opportunities with a variety of Fortune 500 hiring partners.

At a time when thousands of NJ residents have been laid off or furloughed due to COVID-related circumstances, the partnership with Prudential will help Per Scholas keep up with growing demand for its programs – including enrolling students into remote-only classes. Eligible students will include job seekers who are 18 and older, have a high school degree or equivalent, and have an interest in entering the technology workforce.

“For over 25 years, Per Scholas has helped break the cycle of poverty for thousands of individuals and families in the cities that need it most,” said LaToya Sands, Managing Director of Per Scholas Newark. “Our market-driven training models and extensive support services were designed to help people kickstart careers in today’s most promising tech fields – which has become more important than ever in light of the current economic situation we’re in. This incredible investment from Prudential will help us expand and adapt our programs in Newark based on current job market needs. We could not be more excited to have the support of Prudential as we do so.”

Having launched in April 2019 with support from Prudential, Per Scholas Newark has already successfully trained nearly 200 learners – many of whom have since gained employment with local Newark employers including Prudential Financial. After 15 weeks of training, approximately 85% of students accepted into the program will go on to graduate, 80% of graduates will go on to secure employment at an average wage of at least $20 an hour, and 75% will retain employment for at least one year in the respective field. Historically, alumni will also make roughly three times more in their first job after graduation than their pre-training wage. Nationally, more than 86% of Per Scholas’ learners are people of color and around a third are young adults (18-24) when they enroll. The majority of these learners have a high school diploma or equivalent as their highest educational attainment.

“Prudential is a proud supporter and partner of Per Scholas,” said Shané Harris, Vice President, Inclusive Solutions at Prudential Financial and President of the Prudential Foundation. “Now more than ever, Newarkers should have the opportunity to learn in-demand skills and succeed in a high-performing career. Per Scholas is cultivating an incredible and diverse pipeline of talent that companies like Prudential must continue to tap into to create a fully inclusive workplace.”

To learn more about Per Scholas training opportunities, visit perscholas.org.

About Per Scholas

Per Scholas is a national organization that has been advancing economic mobility for 25 years. Through rigorous training, professional development and robust employer connections, we prepare individuals traditionally underrepresented in technology for high-growth careers in the industry. We partner with leading employers to build more diverse talent pools, directly connecting our graduates to new career opportunities with leading employers, from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. With campuses in 14 cities, Per Scholas has trained more than 12,000 individuals in tech skills, building bridges to careers in technology. To learn more, please visit https://perscholas.org/.