Craig Johnston
Per Scholas was an opportunity for me to get the certificates and free training for skills I didn't previously have that were preventing me from getting the jobs that I was applying for.
Help Desk Support Technician
Surge Staffing
Location
Columbus, OH
IT Support
Craig Johnston decided to apply to Per Scholas after months of not hearing back from companies for jobs that he applied for in the tech industry. Formerly a Cable Installer, Craig experienced a work-related injury and wasn’t able to find work when he was laid off at the beginning of 2020 due to the pandemic and downsizing. He was familiar with tech, but didn’t have any certifications under his belt to really get his foot in the door. As he and his wife were searching for job opportunities for him, she found an ad on Indeed for Per Scholas’ tech-free training and he immediately applied.
In his first week, Craig heard about the SkillUp funding, applied for the grant, and received the funds quickly. He found that with the funds, he could focus on his studies instead of stressing over money and bills. “It helped us to lower our stress and allowed us to make it through this period and complete this program for a greater opportunity.”
After graduating, Craig was able to land a job as a Help Desk Support Technician. He plans to continue his tech training and gaining certifications, and would like to continue a career in the IT field to provide for his family a stress-free life.
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As I was applying and going through interviews, there was a gap between where my college education brought me and where companies expected me to know things about the technology industry. Per Scholas taught me so much that I wasn’t able to learn in school.
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