Per Scholas Announces New Customized Training Partnership with Major Technology Employer, Cognizant Technology Solutions

Per Scholas and Cognizant Technology Solutions have announced a new training and hiring partnership that will equip local New Yorkers with in-demand skills and hiring opportunities. The trainings tracks have been developed in collaboration with Cognizant’s recruitment and technology teams to ensure that students receive instruction on nuanced technical job specifications and business acumen. Over the course of eighteen months, Per Scholas will train 650 New Yorkers at no-cost, providing students with career development resources in addition to technical training. Cognizant’s goal is to hire as many as 350 of the training program’s initial graduates to fill current positions that will increase their local operations in NY State.

“Per Scholas is thrilled to leverage our twenty years of experience partnering with business to support Cognizant’s efforts to train local and hire local. Across the country, Per Scholas has trained over 6,500 adults, individuals from overlooked communities,  who lack the resources but not the creativity and determination to succeed in tech” says Plinio Ayala, President and CEO of Per Scholas. “The increased demand for local talent, along with the rising number of technology jobs available, means that companies are exploring strategies to access talent outside of their traditional pipelines. These public/private partnerships will build the workforce of the future and we hope this can be a model that others will replicate, both supporting employer demand and strengthening the communities we serve.”

The partnership has been supported by Empire State Development (ESD) who have offered Cognizant $2 million in performance-based tax credits through the Excelsior Jobs Program.
Each course will run 8-10 weeks. Courses and exact dates will be announced via email and on the website. The training will be offered by Platform by Per Scholas, the customized training arm of the non-profit that works closely with companies to build curriculum to meet hiring demands. To learn more and apply, click here. For further information please email [email protected].

About Cognizant:

Cognizant is one of the world’s leading professional services companies, transforming clients’ business, operating and technology models for the digital era. Our unique industry-based, consultative approach helps clients envision, build and run more innovative and efficient businesses. Headquartered in the U.S., Cognizant is ranked 205 on the Fortune 500 and is consistently listed among the most admired companies in the world. Learn how Cognizant helps clients lead at www.cognizant.com.

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 un- or underemployed for life-changing 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, Georgia; Greater Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio; Dallas, Texas; the National Capital Region, and New York, New York. To date, Per Scholas has trained over 6,800 individuals, helping them build lasting, life-changing careers in technology. To learn more, visit www.perscholas.org.

About Empire State Development:

Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency (www.esd.ny.gov). The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of “I Love NY,” the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, please visit www.esd.ny.gov.