The Atlanta Hawks, State Farm Arena, and Stand Together recently announced a collaborative social impact partnership aimed at fostering local community and education efforts. This initiative includes several impactful programs to support economic mobility, youth empowerment, and educational innovation. Per Scholas is one of the partnering organizations participating.

For Per Scholas, this partnership is a vital opportunity to amplify our mission. As part of the “Building a Brighter Future” initiative, we will showcase the value of hiring individuals with nontraditional credentials. By engaging business leaders and hosting interactive networking events, this collaboration will highlight the success stories of technologists trained through immersive programs, helping to create more inclusive hiring practices in the Atlanta area.

Additionally, the partnership aligns with Per Scholas’ broader goals of economic empowerment by spotlighting the untapped potential of diverse talent pools. By working alongside the Hawks, Stand Together, and other community-focused organizations, Per Scholas reaffirms our dedication to transforming lives through technology and driving systemic change in the workforce.

For more details on the initiative, visit the official announcement on Stand Together’s site or explore the Hawks’ announcement.

As cyber risks increase, so does the need for skilled cyber talent. However, a critical talent shortage is leaving organizations scrambling for solutions. Employers and the government are exploring innovative recruitment and training methods to address this gap. One solution is Per Scholas’ new cybersecurity apprenticeship program registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. Through this program, we will train 40 apprentices by the end of the year, with a goal of training 5K cyber learners during the next five years.

“Apprenticeships are not internships,” says Alanna Hughes, senior vice president of strategy and innovation for Per Scholas. “Registered apprenticeships do not have to be bureaucratic nightmares just because they are more structured,” she says. “We make it easier on the employer to take advantage of the perks by managing the administrative pieces.”

Read more about the need for cyber talent and our new apprenticeship program here!

In the contemporary landscape of technology, there exists an undeniable gender disparity, with women significantly underrepresented in technical roles. Despite advancements in promoting diversity and inclusion, the tech industry continues to grapple with systemic barriers that hinder the full participation of women. According to research from Zippia, women make up 47% of the U.S. workforce, and as of 2022, they only make up 28% of the tech industry, revealing a stark reality: women remain a minority in tech-related professions, which raises concerns about equality, innovation, and societal progress. There has been much progress from organizations like Per Scholas and TEKsystems, who put diversity and inclusion at the forefront of their decision-making to increase results for companies’ bottom lines.

Persistent Gender Disparity Still Exists Across America

Despite concerted efforts to bridge the gender gap in technology, recent data underscores the persistence of disparity in a sense of belonging percentages between men and women, highlighting a substantial underrepresentation in tech. This data reflects a broader trend observed globally, where women continue to encounter obstacles in pursuing and thriving in technical careers and feel they don’t have the same growth opportunities as their male counterparts.

Barriers to Entry and Advancement

Numerous factors contribute to the underrepresentation of women in technology roles. Discrimination and bias in recruitment and hiring processes present formidable barriers, perpetuating a male-dominated culture within tech companies. Additionally, societal stereotypes and cultural norms often discourage girls and women from pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields from an early age, limiting their exposure to technical education and career opportunities. 

To combat barriers to entry and advancement for women in tech, Per Scholas focuses on training individuals typically underrepresented in tech roles – including women. Currently, two in five learners are women, a statistic that has continued to grow as we provide the necessary skills to break into tech. Our partner TEKsystems has also made it a priority to break barriers to entry and advancement by hiring skilled women into tech roles. 

Ammu Nair joined Per Scholas Seattle’s Full Stack Java Developer cohort in 2022. She had 3+ years of Java Development experience but had a hard time obtaining a career in the field.  Ammu had a large career gap due to personal events and felt that since her experience was not from the US, her skills were overlooked. She was able to prove herself throughout Per Scholas’ training, and with TEKsystems’ job placement, launched her career as an Associate Software Engineer. Ammu has aspirations to continue her career in technology and grow into a senior-level Developer.

Impact on Innovation and Diversity

The underrepresentation of women in technology has significant implications for innovation and diversity within the industry. Research suggests that diverse teams, encompassing a variety of perspectives and experiences, are more adept at problem-solving and driving creativity. However, the homogeneity prevalent in many tech workplaces stifles innovation by limiting the range of ideas and approaches.

Furthermore, the absence of gender diversity perpetuates the development of products and services that may overlook the needs and preferences of diverse user demographics. By neglecting the perspectives of women in the design and development process, tech companies risk creating products that fail to address the concerns and interests of half the population, ultimately undermining their market competitiveness and societal impact.

Addressing the Disparity: Towards Gender Equity in Tech

Efforts to address the gender disparity in technology must encompass multi-faceted strategies aimed at promoting inclusivity, equity, and opportunity for women. Initiatives such as mentorship programs, diversity training, and inclusive recruitment practices can help mitigate biases and create more supportive environments for women in tech. TEKsystems’ recent DEI report maps out how to address the lack of diversity in an organization and provides statistics that show while there is progress happening, there is always room for advancement in DEI. 

TEKsystems Global Services has hired many women through Per Scholas training into their workforce upskilling programs provided for their clients. Their technical practice is a safe space for women and a place that is focused on inclusion and connection. By championing diversity and inclusion as core values, tech companies can foster environments where women feel valued, empowered, and able to thrive professionally.

The underrepresentation of women in technology remains a pressing challenge that demands concerted action and commitment from all stakeholders. As the tech industry continues to drive innovation and shape the future of society, it is imperative to dismantle systemic barriers, challenge stereotypes, and foster inclusive cultures so we can create a more equitable and vibrant tech ecosystem that harnesses the full potential of all individuals, regardless of gender. The bottom line is that diversity of thought generates increased ROI and innovation – and that growth lies in the experience and skills of women in tech. To learn more about hiring women in tech, contact us at [email protected].

On November 15, during National Apprenticeship Week, Per Scholas participated in a White House ceremony celebrating the Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Sprint. The event featured remarks from senior White House and agency officials including Deputy Secretary of Labor Julie Su and Chief Information Officer of the Department of Defense John Sherman on the importance of Registered Apprenticeship in building a skilled and diverse cybersecurity workforce. The signing ceremony recognized a number of representatives from industry associations and training providers, including Per Scholas Chief Training Officer Jasmine Miller.  

“National Apprenticeship Week reminds Americans of the tremendous benefits that Registered Apprenticeships provide to workers and employers,” said Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. “A long-honored approach to educating workers and preparing them for stable careers, today’s Registered Apprenticeships are being revitalized here in the U.S. as a proven strategy that equips workers – especially women and other underrepresented and underserved communities – with marketable skills sought in high-demand industries.”

According to the 2022 Cybersecurity Skills Gap report, 60 percent of organizations struggle to recruit cybersecurity talent, more than half struggle to retain qualified people, and two in three agree that a shortage of cybersecurity candidates creates risk for their organization. 

Per Scholas has been offering Cybersecurity training since 2016, first in New York, and today in more than half of our markets nationwide based on demand from both employer partners and learners alike. Yet, we see that our graduates have difficulty breaking into a cybersecurity career without hands-on job experience.

That’s why Per Scholas is so enthusiastic about participating in the Registered Apprenticeship Program, led by the United States Department of Labor. The proven earn-while-you-learn model aims to build a pipeline of skilled workers with a focus on underserved communities. The Registered Apprenticeship Program will enable Per Scholas to partner with employers over a longer on-ramp on 12 months that will provide training, on-the-job experience, and mentorship as a pathway to longer term career advancement. Eleven employer partners formally supported Per Scholas in the application process, with more expressing interest. 

Per Scholas Columbus launched their innovative Tech Women of Color training in July with an IT Fundamentals cohort. The workforce initiative will train 200 women over the next two years to have in-demand tech skills to launch their tech careers, and was featured on local ABC Television affiliate ABC 6. The training includes a tuition-free, 15-week course and will prepare women with professional development and technical skills.

Per Scholas Columbus Managing Director Jennifer Fowler Howard was interviewed for the feature and discussed how the Tech Women of Color initiative will diversify the tech industry to include more women of color. “Representation matters and I think that because you don’t often see women of color in that space often you don’t think you belong in that space,” Jennifer mentioned.

The first Tech Women of Color cohort graduates on November 4, 2022.

Read the full feature and watch the news piece here. 

Per Scholas Pittsburgh is excited to announce our partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania! The partnership will launch a program for individuals in the region to launch high-growth tech careers.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania (BGCWPA), a provider of education, recreation, and healthy lifestyles programs for individuals ages 3-24, and Per Scholas announced this new collaboration to connect underrepresented individuals to information technology (IT) careers, eliminate barriers to employment in this growing field, and enable learners from diverse backgrounds to pursue living wage careers in the Pittsburgh region. This workforce development initiative is generously funded by the Henry L. Hillman Foundation.

“There is an incredible amount of opportunity in Pittsburgh right now for individuals aspiring to join the tech workforce,” said Todd Derby, Managing Director of Per Scholas Pittsburgh. “At Per Scholas, we provide the necessary training to ensure that diverse and resilient Pittsburgh area residents can get access to digital careers and take advantage of thriving wage opportunities.”

Read the full press release here!

Per Scholas is honored to be among this year’s Red Nose Day grantee partners through a matching grant partnership with Comcast NBCUniversal! In its eighth year, Red Nose Day is a beloved fundraising event by Comic Relief US to help end the cycle of child poverty and ensure a healthy, empowered future for all children and youth. Per Scholas helps change trajectories by preparing our learners, many of whom are youth or have children, to launch life-changing careers in technology by participating in our rigorous, cost-free tech skills training. 

As we train our learners to start a career in tech through IT support, cybersecurity, software engineering, and more, we prepare individuals to have a well-rounded skill set that creates economic equity and financial stability for their families. 

Per Scholas Chicago Graduate Veronica Vergara applied to Per Scholas to create her own path of opportunity that was flexible so she could be available for her daughter, if needed. Veronica’s daughter suffered from serious health problems previously, so she quit work to focus on her daughter’s health. A year and a half later, Veronica’s daughter’s condition had greatly improved, and Veronica began preparing to rejoin the workforce. Her husband worked in IT and she admired many features of his job, including its flexibility and good pay, which is why she applied to Per Scholas to launch her IT career.

Another example of how Per Scholas’s cost-free tech training has enhanced our learners’ lives and the lives of their children is through Sadaf Haroon, a Per Scholas Dallas Software Engineering graduate. Sadaf, an immigrant mother of three, was at first intimidated to resume a career in the thriving field of tech. “Per Scholas made it easier for me to learn and now I am an earning member of my family. What can be greater than that?” 

In the two years since the COVID-19 pandemic began, more children have faced hunger, homelessness, and a growing learning gap, making those programs, funded by Red Nose Day, more crucial than ever. 

This Red Nose Day marks a return to the tradition of coming together in person to have fun, raise money, and change lives. The annual campaign’s signature Red Nose, the universal symbol for Red Nose Day, will be back and available exclusively at nearly 9,000 Walgreens and Duane Reade locations nationwide for just $1 each, with 100% of all proceeds benefiting Red Nose Day. Customers may also donate in stores via pin-pad at checkout, as well as online to receive a Digital Red Nose filter, and can show support donning a real Red Nose or virtual one!

Tune in on May 26th to NBC, which is supporting the Red Nose Day campaign across the network and through cross-portfolio programming features.

The Columbus Dispatch featured Per Scholas in an article featuring our Tech Women of Color workforce initiative.  This initiative is supported by a $4.5 million grant that was unanimously approved by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners on International Women’s Day. The free, 15-week course will kick off in July and aims to train 200 women of color in cohorts over the next two years.

“We are grateful to the Franklin County Board of Commissioners for providing us the opportunity to be of service to our community, and to our local partners who will come alongside us as we seek to make a transformative impact in this county,” stated Jenn Fowler Howard, Senior Director of the Tech Women of Color Alliance. “We recognize that this project will not only change the lives of the women who participate but will also build stronger families, communities, and businesses for years to come.”

This workforce initiative is part of Per Scholas’s ongoing goal to promote the presence of women in tech.

Read the full article from The Columbus Dispatch here!