TEKsystems, Per Scholas, and Living Classrooms Celebrate Graduation of Pilot Network and Help Desk IT Career Course

On Friday, November 1st, 2018 Per Scholas celebrated the graduation of the pilot Network and Help Desk IT Career Course in Baltimore, Maryland. With support from Champion partner, TEKsystems and Baltimore-based community partner, Living Classrooms Foundation, graduates completed a 15-week course focused on troubleshooting and maintaining computers, software, networks and mobile devices. The course also provided the opportunity for students to earn CompTIA’s industry recognized A+ and NETWORK+ certifications.

TEKsystems colleagues instrumental in the development and implementation of the curriculum in Baltimore included Faith Johnson, vice president of human resources at TEKsystems and Franklin Reed, director of diversity and inclusion. ““It has been an amazing journey for us and the students as we’ve watched them progress through the course in pursuit of their goals,” said Faith Johnson. “We sincerely believe a course like this can change the trajectory of someone’s life, and we’re so moved to see them take the next step in that journey.”

Community partners, Living Classrooms, provided both the program site for the pilot course as well as support for the professional development training that students received as part of a comprehensive soft skill and technical training curriculum preparing them for the workforce.

The graduation was held at the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park in Baltimore and included keynote remarks from Secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations, Kelly Schulz.

Class valedictorian, Zobaria Iqbal, shared with the crowd, “when I applied I was scared because I didn’t have an IT background. But Per Scholas believed in me and gave me a chance. They provided me with training and support.” She also offered remarks specific to her technical instructor, Michael Boggs, saying, “I have never had a teacher with such passion for his students. His knowledge is unbelievable and his teaching style is out of this world.”