Per Scholas Launches Salesforce AI Fellowship to Connect New York Talent with Real-World AI Experience

NEW YORK CITY — September 10, 2026 — As artificial intelligence reshapes how organizations work and the skills employers seek, Per Scholas is giving graduates of Salesforce cohorts access to an added boost: real-world experience applying AI and technology on the job.

Today, Per Scholas is launching the Salesforce AI Fellowship, an eight-month paid fellowship that connects select graduates of its Salesforce Administrator training program with nonprofit organizations across New York City. Fellows will use their technical skills to help organizations modernize Salesforce systems, improve data quality, streamline workflows, and responsibly adopt AI-enabled tools.

The initiative builds on Per Scholas’ longstanding Salesforce partnership and its commitment to pairing no-cost technical training with the experience, coaching, and employer connections that help people move into careers.

“The opportunity isn’t just about learning the latest technology—it’s about giving learners the chance to use it in a real organization, solve real problems, and build a track record of impact,” said Suzanne Townes, Executive Director, Per Scholas. “The Salesforce AI Fellowship is an important next step in how we prepare New Yorkers for an economy where AI fluency and hands-on experience increasingly go hand in hand.”

The fellowship begins with Per Scholas’ four-month, no-cost Salesforce Administrator training, where learners build skills in Salesforce administration, Agentforce, Prompt Builder, AI-enabled workflow design, and other emerging technologies. Following training, selected graduates are matched with nonprofit organizations for eight months of paid, hands-on experience.

“We know that technical training can open the door, but experience is often what helps someone take the next step in their career,” said Daniel Agosto, Managing Director, NY, Per Scholas. “This fellowship gives graduates the opportunity to build that experience while contributing to organizations that are doing important work across New York City. It’s a model designed to create value on both sides.”

The Fellowship is designed around a shared opportunity: helping talented Per Scholas professionals gain experience while enabling nonprofits to strengthen the systems they rely on to serve their communities. Participating nonprofits complete an AI Readiness Assessment to identify opportunities where a fellow can deliver immediate value. During the fellowship, fellows may provide support on Salesforce implementation and administration, data governance, workflow improvement, reporting, and the responsible deployment of AI tools. Per Scholas is partnering with the Workforce Professionals Training Institute (WPTI) to support nonprofit readiness and organizational capacity throughout the initiative.

For fellows, the experience extends beyond the day-to-day work. Participants receive ongoing coaching from Per Scholas, mentorship from Salesforce professionals, structured professional development, and continued career support following the fellowship.

The Salesforce AI Fellowship reflects a broader shift in how Per Scholas approaches workforce development as technology changes the nature of entry-level work. For learners, that means going beyond technical credentials to develop the ability to apply technology in real organizational environments. For employers and nonprofits, it means gaining access to trained talent to address immediate technology needs.

The model also builds on the growing ecosystem of partners working to expand access to technology careers across New York City.

“In an increasingly tech-powered economy, Per Scholas continues to be an integral partner,” said Doug Lipari, Executive Director, NYC Office of Talent and Workforce Development. “Building on their joint work with NYC Talent’s Tech Talent Pipeline and Apprenticeship Accelerator teams, this new Salesforce AI Fellowship equips local talent with cutting-edge tools to thrive in forward-deployed tech roles. Per Scholas is helping to redefine what entry-level tech jobs in NYC look like with this community-focused and innovative program.”

“As a longtime Per Scholas partner, JobsFirst NYC remains committed to driving economic mobility,” said Marjorie Parker, CEO and President of JobsFirst NYC. “We are thrilled to join this launch, equipping our nonprofit ecosystem with the vital data capacity and AI tools needed to move the field forward while creating real opportunity and impact for fellows.” 

The Salesforce AI Fellowship represents the next evolution of Per Scholas’ learn-and-earn approach, connecting technical education to paid experience and creating pathways for talent to contribute from day one. As AI continues to change how organizations operate and how work gets done, Per Scholas is focused on ensuring that New Yorkers have more than access to economic mobility.