CYBERSECURITY TRAINING NOW UNDERWAY AT PER SCHOLAS NEW YORK

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (September 22, 2016) – Per Scholas New York today launched a new cybersecurity training track, powered in large part by Barclays. Twenty new Per Scholas students started the course today at the organization’s South Bronx headquarters and are expected to move to a new classroom space at 630 Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn later this fall. More than 50 percent of the new students call Brooklyn home, and, staying true to its commitment to student diversity, Per Scholas is welcoming a class where 41 percent are women and 29 percent are veterans. The expansion to Brooklyn will enable Per Scholas to train an additional 140 New Yorkers annually, resulting in more than 550 New Yorkers trained and on-track for technology careers every year.

Through rigorous and tuition-free technology training and professional development, Per Scholas has helped thousands of individuals who are un- or underemployed launch successful careers in technology, while creating real onramps to businesses in need of their talents. Per Scholas’ training has been evaluated and found to be among the most successful in independent, controlled, and randomized research, most recently reflected in MDRC’s WorkAdvance report.

“Our expansion to Brooklyn with a new cybersecurity training track is a significant milestone in the Per Scholas journey,” said Kelly Richardson, Per Scholas New York Managing Director. “Just as our students progress from curious problem solvers to accomplished technicians, we have grown from a small nonprofit in the South Bronx to an organization that is changing the tech workforce in communities around the country. We are honored to call Brooklyn our newest home.”

A recent study found a dangerous shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals. That shortage negatively impacts organizations and their customers and leads to more frequent and costly data breaches. The 16-week cybersecurity training track, developed in close partnership with Barclays, is new to Per Scholas New York and aimed at training and preparing graduates for cybersecurity jobs and opportunities. Barclays has committed to hiring 10 Per Scholas cybersecurity students for six-month paid internships upon graduation, expected in January 2017.

“We are proud to partner with Per Scholas to help drive economic growth and social progress. These are two key elements to our Shared Growth initiative, which is focused on having a positive impact on society while driving shareholder value,” said Deborah Goldfarb, Managing Director, Citizenship and Reputation. “Cybersecurity is an issue that is of paramount importance to the financial services industry and we are thrilled to launch this program which will culminate in 10 graduates of the training joining the Barclays team for a six month internship program.” 

Barclays has supported Per Scholas since 2012, significantly investing in the nationally recognized workforce development organization. More than 500 Barclays employees have volunteered with Per Scholas in a variety of ways including hosting large-scale mock interview events and serving as mentors through Per Scholas’ Women in Tech program. Further, Barclays has hired 12 Per Scholas graduates for full-time careers with its Operations & Technology platform.

Per Scholas Brooklyn marks the organization’s seventh location nationwide and second location in New York. On Tuesday, September 27, Per Scholas will host a Grand Opening Celebration at the new location for community members and business leaders. In addition to Per Scholas President and CEO Plinio Ayala, Jes Staley, CEO, Barclays; Maria Vullo Superintendent of the New York State Department of Financial Services; Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Diana Reyna; and Ivan Rivera, a 2013 Per Scholas Graduate and current Barclays Apprentice, are expected to give remarks.

The latest expansion to Brooklyn was made possible through the generous support of lead sponsor Barclays, as well as AT&T, NY Community Trust, the Office of Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, Empire State Development, and individual contributors.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Per Scholas Brooklyn Grand Opening Celebration on Tuesday, September 27 is open to press, but a credential is required. Media tours and a ribbon cutting ceremony will occur between 3 and 3:30 p.m., while the formal program will run from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. To obtain a credential, please contact Sara Neumann by email at [email protected] or by phone at (202) 256-8687 no later than Friday, September 23.

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, Per Scholas prepares motivated and curious adults who are un- or underemployed for transformative careers in the tech sector, while creating onramps to businesses in need of their talents. Per Scholas provides its solution in six cities across the country: Atlanta, GA; Greater Cincinnati, OH; Columbus, OH; Dallas, TX; the National Capital Region; and New York, NY. To date, Per Scholas has trained over 6,000 individuals, helping them build lasting, life-changing careers in technology. For more information, visit perscholas.org, Twitter @PerScholas and Facebook.

Full Press Release can be found here.

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