Per Scholas Philadelphia Celebrates Five Years of Community Impact with Expansion Announcement in Partnership with OIC Philadelphia

Philadelphia, P.A., May 30, 2025 — Since launching in 2019, the Per Scholas Philadelphia campus has trained more than 600 learners, equipping them with critical tech skills such as IT Support and Cybersecurity.

Today, alongside community and employer partners, colleagues, alumni, and friends, Per Scholas Philadelphia hosted its Five-Year Campus Celebration in Philadelphia with remarks from Claire Statchura of Comcast, Sean Sheridan of TEKsystems, Liz Newell of CHUBB, Shana Savage of Urban Technology Project, and Per Scholas Philadelphia alumni who work at those institutions. Per Scholas President Caitlyn Brazill was also in attendance.

“It’s not often that you have the chance to slow down and mark such a huge milestone. I’m grateful for all those whose lives have been touched by Per Scholas Philadelphia, the people who have worked on and off our campus to do the work, the employers who have volunteered to meet and then hire our graduates, the communities who helped spread the word, and the funders who make it all possible. The successes of those first 600 learners keeps our doors open to serve hundreds and thousands more in the years to come,“ said Joshua Park, Per Scholas Philadelphia Managing Director.

The evening’s presentation concluded with a joint announcement of a satellite Per Scholas Philadelphia classroom at OIC Philadelphia to launch in November 2025. Per Scholas’ satellite model, first launched in New York in 2021, has proven effective in expanding access to communities with limited tech training options. By combining dedicated on-site support with connected classroom learning, this model offers equal-quality training experiences, builds capacity for community partners, and creates efficient pathways to employment.

“At OIC, we’ve always believed in the power of partnership to create transformative change, and our collaboration with Per Scholas perfectly embodies this principle. In the legacy of our founder, Reverend Dr. Leon Sullivan, we’re committed to connecting our community members to family-sustaining careers with real growth potential. We’re thrilled to welcome Per Scholas as part of OIC’s workforce hub this November, where together we’ll continue breaking down barriers and building pathways to economic opportunity for Philadelphia residents,” stated Sheila Ireland, President & Chief Executive Officer OIC. “This partnership represents the kind of meaningful collaboration that creates lasting change, one life at a time.“

Per Scholas Philadelphia acknowledges Comcast, TEKsystems, and OIC Philadelphia for their generous support that made this celebration possible.

“TEKsystems’ partnership with Per Scholas has been instrumental in transforming the tech landscape of Philadelphia. By providing tuition-free, high-quality technology certification programs, Per Scholas equips learners with the necessary skills to be job-ready for positions with our clients in the Philadelphia market. This collaboration has empowered hundreds of local residents, fostering economic growth and creating a diverse, inclusive workforce that reflects the vibrant spirit of Philadelphia. We’re thankful to partner with such an impactful organization and are excited to see the continued impact we’ll have supporting the City of Philadelphia,” said Sean Sheridan, Team Lead, Philadelphia Delivery Center, TEKsystems.

With a proven tech training model including both in-person and remote learning hubs, Per Scholas continues to unlock opportunities for individuals, strengthen communities, and drive business success across the greater Philadelphia area. Per Scholas Philadelphia is transforming lives and will continue to shape Philadelphia’s future as a thriving technology hub by equipping Per Scholas Technologists with in-demand tech skills at no cost.

To learn more about Per Scholas Philadelphia, follow them on LinkedIn or Per Scholas Philadelphia.

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, generating over $2 billion in increased personal earnings. On average, our learners earn 3x their pre-training wage in their first role after Per Scholas. With 20+ 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.