Per Scholas Launches 25th Campus in Partnership with JobTrain: Expanding No-Cost Tech Training in the Bay Area 

Learners will earn a CompTIA A+ certification, laying the foundation for high-growth tech careers

Menlo Park, CA – October 2, 2025 – In an innovative new partnership, Per Scholas has teamed up with JobTrain, a Bay Area-based educational and training institution, to launch its 25th campus in the heart of Silicon Valley. This collaboration aims to address the talent needs of the area’s booming tech industry while creating new pathways to economic mobility for local residents. 

“Establishing Per Scholas’ twenty-fifth campus is a landmark moment, as we bring our tech programs to the pinnacle region of technological innovation,” said Plinio Ayala, CEO at Per Scholas. “A significant training opportunity gap persists in the region. By partnering with JobTrain, an institution with deep roots and unmatched expertise in the Bay Area, we can combine our proven, no-cost technical training with their exceptional professional development. Together, we can unlock the potential of overlooked talent and build a robust tech workforce for the region’s leading companies.”

The Bay Area, a global tech industry hub, has a continuous and robust demand for IT Technicians and System Administrators. To close the talent gap, the campus will offer a 13-week entry-level IT Support course that builds a strong foundation in system administration, with a focus on supporting Windows server infrastructures and managing IT services using platforms like ServiceNow. In line with Per Scholas’ AI vision, learners will build fluency with generative AI tools like ChatGPT and benefit from innovations such as our AI tutoring chatbot. These skills are becoming critical for IT roles in troubleshooting, system management, and career preparation. Upon successful course completion, learners will earn a CompTIA A+ certification and be equipped to pursue a range of roles, such as IT Technician or System Administrator.

“For decades, JobTrain has been dedicated to providing our community with pathways to prosperity. In a region so deeply connected to technological innovation, access to the skills needed for high-growth tech careers is critical,” said Barrie Hathaway, President & CEO at JobTrain. “That’s why our partnership with Per Scholas is a game-changer. We are not just preparing individuals for a job; we are empowering them with the skills, confidence, and network to build lasting careers and thrive.”

“We’re proud to support this partnership between Per Scholas and JobTrain,” says longtime supporter and Bay Area native Charlie Wolfson, Executive Director of Arrow Impact. “By launching a new campus in Silicon Valley, Per Scholas and JobTrain are building on the region’s legacy as a global innovation hub and ensuring that more people from underrepresented backgrounds can share in its future and shape the breakthroughs to come.”

The first cohort will begin on October 6, 2025, at JobTrain’s offices at 1200 O’Brien Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025. The courses will follow a hybrid on-site and virtual model and interested candidates can confirm their eligibility and apply here. 

To learn more about JobTrain, please visit jobtrainworks.org. To learn more about Per Scholas Bay Area, click here.

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About Per Scholas
As Per Scholas celebrates 30 years of impact, we are charting an ambitious path forward— expanding access to high-growth tech careers and fostering economic mobility nationwide. Since 1995, we’ve offered no-cost tech training to more than 30,000 technologists in the most sought-after tech skills. With 25 campuses and remote programs, we partner with employers—from Fortune 500 companies to startups—to create inclusive talent pipelines in fields like Cloud, Cybersecurity, Data Engineering, IT Support, and Software Engineering. More than half of our learners hold a high school diploma as their highest educational credential. We are building a future where successful careers in tech are accessible to everyone across urban, suburban, and rural communities, empowering individuals to unlock their potential and drive transformative economic change nationwide.

Learn more at PerScholas.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube. 

About JobTrain

JobTrain is a nationally accredited 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational and training institution serving the Bay Area since 1965. With a mission to help those most in need to succeed, JobTrain offers industry-relevant vocational training, academic instruction, and essential skills development, along with rapid-employment services through its Career Centers in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. More than 190,000 individuals have turned to JobTrain for the skills, confidence, and connections to build sustainable careers. In partnership with employers and community organizations, JobTrain transforms lives and strengthens communities. Learn more at www.jobtrainworks.org.

Learn more at jobtrain.org and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.