19 Java Developers Graduate from Inaugural Per Scholas Seattle Cohort

Jacqueline Ivy Hardin Joins Per Scholas as Managing Director, Driving Equity in Tech For Nonprofit’s 1^st West Coast Campus

Seattle, Wash. (August 27, 2021) – Earlier today, 19 learners successfully graduated from Per Scholas’s inaugural Full Stack Java Developer course in Seattle, powered by TEKsystems, a full-stack technology and talent services provider. For more than 25 years, Per Scholas has advanced economic equity through technology, and this course marks the national nonprofit’s second graduation in its three-city expansion in 2021, preceded by Pittsburgh in June and to be followed by Phoenix next week.

Melanie Staley, Senior Vice President for Regional Operations at TEKsystems, delivered remarks during the virtual celebration, commending graduates for their grit, determination, and tenacity. “I know the kind of transformative power and impact that making this kind of investment in yourself will have on your future,” said Staley. “We are well-known as the Silicon Forest. May your roots grow deep and may your treetops continue to reach for the sun. With today’s graduation, you’re embarking on a thriving career in tech, and TEKsystems is proud to be part of your journey.”

Graduates have mastered specific technical skills employers seek in entry and mid-level Java Developers, advanced their coding skills, and gained experience with Java, data structures, web services, algorithms, and more. Aligned with Per Scholas’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, two-third of learners are people of color, 42 percent identify as women, and half were unemployed for 6 or more months before they began this free, rigorous tech training.

Jacqueline Ivy Hardin has joined Per Scholas Seattle as Managing Director, leading the strategic and programmatic direction of the local campus. Passionate about creating equitable access to economic prosperity, Jackie’s career intersects workforce development, college access, and talent development. Prior to joining Per Scholas, Jackie was the Senior Program Manager for Get Schooled, where she led the organization’s efforts to support young people as they prepare for, find, and succeed in their first jobs. Her previous roles include serving as Project Manager for the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles, and a Human Resources Manager for Target Corporation.

“Per Scholas is incredibly proud to join Seattle’s powerful tech community. Creating pathways to thriving wage careers for individuals traditionally underrepresented in technology is critical to maintaining a strong regional economy. We are excited for the opportunity to provide training that enables participants to kick start their careers in technology while also working toward the goal of creating inclusive economic prosperity in the region,” said Jackie Ivy Hardin, Managing Director, Per Scholas Seattle. “We’re very grateful to our partner TEKsystems and look forward to positively impacting communities across the Pacific Northwest, together.”

A hiring partner since 2015, TEKsystems has hired hundreds of Per Scholas graduates to date. In collaboration with Per Scholas, TEKsystems will train hundreds more for high-demand roles over the next two years.

For more information, and to learn about upcoming Per Scholas courses offered in Seattle, please visit PerScholas.org/Seattle.

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 at businesses ranging from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. With campuses in 17 cities, Per Scholas has trained more than 14,000 individuals in tech skills, building bridges to careers in technology. To learn more, visit PerScholas.org.

About TEKsystems

We’re partners in transformation. We help clients activate ideas and solutions to take advantage of a new world of opportunity. We are a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 clients, including 80% of the Fortune 500, across North America, Europe and Asia. As an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services and real-world application, we work with progressive leaders to drive change. That’s the power of true partnership. TEKsystems is an Allegis Group company.