Charlotte, N.C., June 25, 2025  – Since launching in 2020, the Per Scholas North Carolina campus has trained more than 800 learners, equipping them with critical tech skills such as Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, and IT Support. Our alumni have earned jobs at employers including Capgemini, Humana, and Wells Fargo.

“Charlotte is a regional leader in energy innovation and clean technology, which makes it an ideal place to kick off this series,” says Mike Terrell, Senior Managing Director of Per Scholas North Carolina. “We’re excited to bring industry leaders together to explore how our graduates can drive progress in clean energy, grid modernization, and digital infrastructure, and bring fresh talent to every corner of the energy sector.”

Today, top leaders in the energy, utilities, and technology sectors explored the powerful intersection of innovation and workforce development among industry peers at Power Up: Charlotte, hosted at the Per Scholas North Carolina campus. Plinio Ayala, Chief Executive Officer, Per Scholas, Kenneth Walker, Executive Vice President, Inclusion & Culture, Per Scholas, and Omoanaste McCarther, Senior Director, Workforce Initiatives, Per Scholas, were also in attendance.The morning began with an Executive Breakfast, open to Director+ leaders. An industry-expert panel, open to the public, followed. The industry panel was moderated by Zach Boren, Senior Fellow – Work, Education, and Labor Division of the Urban Institute. Panelists included Paul Douglas, President at The JPI Group; Megan Howes, Assistant Director, Workforce Development, Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC); Michael Johnson, Senior Software Engineering Manager at Duke Energy; and Mike Terrell, Senior Managing Director at Per Scholas North Carolina. 

Monty McGee, Director of Cybersecurity Partnerships & Engagement at Edison Electric Institute, and Dr. Kristie Sauls, Program Director of NC Career Launch at the North Carolina Business Committee for Education, shared additional remarks. 

Per Scholas North Carolina hosted Power Up: Charlotte in collaboration with the Urban Institute, IREC, and CareerEquity. This grant-funded partnership delivers worker-centered training tailored to the energy sector’s IT needs.

Contact: Rafael Gerena, Vice President of Communications & Policy, Per Scholas

[email protected] 

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.

This event is part of the Power Up Series that was created by Per Scholas and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). DOL makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. The total cost of the Power IT project is $5,815,899. $5,000,000 (86 percent) is funded through the Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs Grant Program of the U.S. Department of Labor–Employment and Training Administration. The other $815,899 (14 percent) is funded through nonfederal resources.

Kansas City, MO., June 24, 2025 — Since launching in 2024, the Per Scholas Kansas City campus has trained more than 100 learners, equipping them with critical tech skills such as IT Support and future-forward Data Centers systems training. Our alumni have earned jobs at local Kansas City employers, including Conexon, GovCIO, and NestPay as well as large national employers such as Costco and Panasonic.

Today, alongside community and employer partners, colleagues, alumni, and friends, Per Scholas Kansas City hosted its One-Year Campus Celebration in Kansas City with remarks from Asher Baker of TEKsystems, Brandon Krekel of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Per Scholas Kansas City alumni Nacima Kachi, and Jasmine Miller, Per Scholas Chief Program Officer. Montreece Smith, Per Scholas Chief People Officer, was also present.

“We are incredibly proud of the impact Per Scholas Kansas City has made in its first year,” said Cedric Deadmon, Per Scholas Kansas City Managing Director.

Per Scholas Kansas City acknowledges TEKsystems for their generous support that made this celebration possible.

“TEKsystems is proud to continue our national partnership with Per Scholas and provide local support for their cohorts!” said Asher Barker, Core Applications Account Manager, 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 Kansas City area. Per Scholas Kansas City is transforming lives and will continue to shape Kansas City’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 Kansas City, follow them on LinkedIn or Per Scholas Kansas City.

Contact: 

Rafael Gerena, Vice President of Communications and Policy, Per Scholas

[email protected].

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.

New York, N.Y., May 15, 2025 — Per Scholas is bringing together leading voices in the data center industry for an engaging virtual conversation about the future of tech infrastructure and talent development. The panel, Data Centers in Demand: Workforce Trends & Talent Pipelines, featured expert insights from TEKsystems and Microsoft. 

Moderated by Brittany Murrey, Executive Vice President of Talent Solutions at Per Scholas, this timely panel explored the increasing demand for data center talent and what that means for aspiring technologists and employers alike.

Panelists included:

• Craig Curry, Microsoft, Datacenter Technician Manager
• John Lullen, TEKsystems, Managing Executive, Marketplace Inclusion
• Riley Mahler, TEKsystems Global Services, Regional Director Microsoft Account
• Jasmine Smiley, Microsoft, Regional Program Manager DC Operations Field Management

🔑 Top 3 Takeaways from the Discussion:

1. Data Centers Are Booming—But Talent Gaps Remain
   As Brittany Murrey (Per Scholas) noted, there’s a 60% growth in data center jobs since 2016, and companies are urgently seeking skilled professionals. Per Scholas is closing this gap through hands-on, industry-aligned training.
   
2. Expanding Opportunity is a Business Imperative
   Riley Mahler (TEKsystems Global Services) stated about 300,000 or so data center-oriented openings are unfilled right now, and looking ahead to a higher demand for jobs in data centers, there could be upward of 2.3 million active jobs. As Jasmine Smiley (Microsoft) and John Lullen (TEKsystems) shared, intentional hiring and workforce development are key to sustainable innovation in this space with this projected growth.
3. Career Pathways Are Real and Growing
   Per Scholas trained technologist Craig Curry (Microsoft) explained how data center training fast-tracks learners into rewarding tech careers, even those from non-technical backgrounds.

WATCH THE FULL PANEL BELOW.

With data centers continuing to play a critical role in powering global digital infrastructure, this conversation examined the evolving landscape of workforce needs, the essential skills for data center careers, and how inclusive training pipelines can close the talent gap.

“Data centers are the hardware powering every corner of society. They impact critical infrastructure like hospitals and medical systems, and play a large role in entertainment streaming. As more businesses move to the cloud, the demand for skilled techs who can manage, protect, and fine-tune these systems is skyrocketing,” said Brittany Murrey, Executive Vice President of Talent Solutions, Per Scholas. “At Per Scholas, we’re training people for these high-growth careers, equipping them with the skills to not just join the tech industry, but to help shape its future.”

This event underscored Per Scholas’ commitment to expanding access to high-growth tech careers by preparing individuals with the most in-demand skills—through no-cost training and partnerships with leading employers.

Covington, K.Y., April. 4, 2025 — Since launching in July 2015, the Per Scholas Greater Cincinnati campus has trained more than 850 learners, equipping them with critical tech skills such as IT Support, Cybersecurity, and Software Engineering.

Today, alongside community and employer partners, colleagues, learners, and friends, Per Scholas Greater Cincinnati hosted its Satellite Campus Launch at the Kentucky Career Center in Covington with remarks from Covington Mayor Ron Washington, Susan Culp of Archer Daniels Midland, Brent Cooper of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Correy Eimer of the Northern Kentucky Area Development District, and Per Scholas Greater Cincinnati alumnus Michael Stovall. A formal ribbon-cutting dedication and reception followed. 

“We are thrilled that Northern Kentucky residents can begin preparing for their IT careers here in Covington. This satellite campus also means that local employers will have access to an amazing pool of high-quality tech talent right here in NKY,” said Dr. Roger Burns, Per Scholas Greater Cincinnati Managing Director.

“Per Scholas is a game-changer for our community, bringing opportunities for Covington residents to attain highly sought after tech industry jobs following the development of specialized skills,” said Covington Mayor Ron Washington. “Covington is increasingly focused on how we can help develop the talents of our residents who may be unemployed or underemployed but lack the resources to pay for the training they need. Through its rigorous, free training programs, Per Scholas provides solutions. I welcome the Per Scholas satellite campus to Covington, and I look forward to the life-changing impact they will have on our residents and our community.”

Per Scholas Greater Cincinnati acknowledges the generous support of Archer Daniels Midland, Duke Energy, The R.C. Furr Foundation, City of Covington Economic Development Corporation, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, and Northern Kentucky Area Development District.

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 state. Notably, every dollar invested in Per Scholas yields an $8 net economic return. Per Scholas Greater Cincinnati is transforming lives and will now be shaping Covington’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 Greater Cincinnati, follow them on LinkedIn or visit their page.

About Per Scholas

As Per Scholas celebrates 30 years of impact, we are charting an ambitious path forward—aiming to train and upskill 25,000 technologists annually by 2030, 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.

We’re honored to be featured in a recent article highlighting an innovative pilot program designed to support workforce training alumni through text-based coaching. The initiative, led by Empower Work and funded by the Truist and GitLab Foundations, is exploring how real-time guidance can help graduates navigate career challenges and improve job retention.

As part of this partnership, Per Scholas is reinforcing our commitment to alumni success by investing in upskilling programs in high-demand fields like cloud computing, network management, and project management. This recognition underscores the importance of ongoing support for our graduates as they build thriving careers in tech.

We’re excited to be part of this groundbreaking initiative and look forward to seeing its impact on workforce training nationwide. Want to learn more? Read the full story to see how Per Scholas and other leading organizations are working together to create lasting career success for graduates!

Los Angeles, C.A., March 13, 2025 — Since launching in March 2023, the Per Scholas Los Angeles campus has trained over 300 learners, equipping them with critical tech skills such as IT Support, Cybersecurity, and Software Engineering.

Today, alongside community and employer partners, colleagues, learners, and friends, Per Scholas Los Angeles hosted a grand opening celebration featuring the graduation ceremony of its first in-person cohort, followed by a ribbon-cutting dedication with remarks from the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Los Angeles Economic & Workforce Development Department, and an open house reception.

“Technology is ever-evolving, and so too must we. This grand opening isn’t just about a new space; it’s about opening doors to new possibilities, new skills, and new futures for those who seek to thrive in the digital age,” said Patrice Madu, Per Scholas Los Angeles Managing Director.

Per Scholas Los Angeles acknowledges the generous support of Focusing Philanthropy, The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, the Foundation for California Community Colleges, The James Irvine Foundation, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., Comcast NBCUniversal, Joseph Drown Foundation, Michael J. Connell Foundation, Microsoft, Amazon, the City of Los Angeles Economic & Workforce Development Department, and Match Group.

With a proven model that includes both in-person and remote learning hubs, Per Scholas continues to unlock opportunities for individuals, strengthen communities, and drive business success across the state. Notably, every dollar invested in Per Scholas yields an $8 net economic return. Per Scholas Los Angeles is transforming lives and shaping Los Angeles’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 Los Angeles, follow them on LinkedIn or visit their page.

About Per Scholas

Per Scholas is proud to celebrate 30 years of fostering economic mobility by giving individuals from diverse backgrounds access to high-growth tech careers. 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. By 2030, we aim to train and upskill 25,000 technologists annually—building on three decades of impact. 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. 85%+ of our learners are people of color, 40% are women, and more than half hold a high school diploma as their highest educational credential. We are building a future where successful careers in tech are accessible to everyone, driving transformative economic change.

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

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Per Scholas Houston proudly collaborated with Ion Houston to bring together industry leaders from J.P. Morgan, Microsoft, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and our President & CEO for the event, TECHnique: The Unique Perspectives of Leaders in the Tech Ecosystem.

This event offered a unique opportunity to explore the perspectives shaping today’s tech workforce. Panelists discussed challenges and opportunities in technology development, industry needs, tech training opportunities available within the Houston community, and valuable insights into how these organizations collaborate to strengthen the tech ecosystem.

Panelists included Plinio Ayala, Peter Beard, Rob Schapiro, and Karthigeyan Kuppan. Their expertise and the insights they shared tackled key challenges and opportunities shaping today’s tech workforce.

In 2025, the tech landscape will continue to evolve as new trends, innovations, and hurdles emerge. 

Whether considering the impact of new technologies, security concerns, regulation challenges, or sustainability goals, tech leaders must source the right talent. However, building these teams is not always straightforward. Tech leaders will face skills gaps and competition for talent while aiming to meet DEI goals. 

Per Scholas can help address these concerns by offering a strategic solution via no-cost training programs that build a skilled and diverse talent pipeline. Here’s what to consider. 

The Evolving Tech Talent Landscape

While the tech industry continues to evolve exponentially, the demand for skilled talent is soaring. However, over 60% of tech leaders agree that hiring top talent is a major obstacle. Being aware of what’s required will help these leaders pinpoint who they need on their teams and how they’ll obtain that talent. Staying on top of tech trends will help them better navigate this process. 

Focusing on the latest trends will help tech leaders better prepare for the year ahead, including the following:

• The rise of new technologies like AI, blockchain, and quantum computing requires specialized skills and training, transforming the talent acquisition process.  
• A rising demand for adaptive, forward-thinking technologists who offer forward-thinking perspectives will be required to grow and innovate. 
• An increased focus on remote and hybrid workforces, as tech leaders understand these models require some fine-tuning to enhance optimal productivity and collaboration. Automation, AI, the evolution of cybersecurity, and continuous learning will all play a role in achieving top-performing remote and hybrid teams. 

The Talent Shortage Must Be Addressed

As niche technology skills become more important, tech leaders face challenges surrounding this specialized talent. Traditional hiring methods aren’t meeting the demand for these unique skill sets — which can lead to prolonged hiring processes and missed opportunities. These vacancies can be costly, which is why talent shortages should be a top priority in 2025 — followed by retention strategies to keep that talent. 

Traditional methods of assessing a candidate do not always consider specialized skills and how an individual will contribute to an organization’s cultural fit and diversity. Even when they do, the hiring process can be lengthy. 

Data shows that when considering all tech roles, the average time to fill a position is 62 days, whereas it takes an average of 70.5 days to hire a senior data scientist. So, depending on the roles you need to fill, it can be challenging to source a candidate, and when you do, it’s not an overnight process. 

The costs of these vacancies can be significant — especially when considering lost productivity and the potential security risks.

Key Challenges Tech Leaders Face in Hiring

Finding tech talent isn’t easy, especially when positions are in high demand or organizations lack the internal systems and processes to hire top talent. Here are some of the primary challenges tech leaders face today.

The Skills Gap

• Many candidates lack the practical, job-ready skills that organizations need, which is why tech training, as are apprenticeships, are so crucial.
• Rapid technological advancements are outpacing traditional educational systems. There is a new era of learning that requires a specialized approach to obtain top-tier talent. 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

• Building teams that reflect broader societal diversity is becoming increasingly important for innovation and competitiveness. However, the tech industry continues to struggle with a lack of diverse representation.

Learn more about Diverse by Design and how its initiatives contribute to better business outcomes. 

Budget Constraints

• Rising costs of traditional hiring and training remain an issue when seeking top tech talent. Therefore, it will remain paramount to focus on a cost-effective hiring and talent acquisition strategy that yields a healthy ROI. 

Why Per Scholas is the Answer to Modern Hiring Challenges

The challenges organizations and tech leaders face heading into 2025 can be addressed by partnering with Per Scholas. Here are some reasons why. 

No-Cost, High-Quality Training

• Per Scholas offers no-cost training to individuals, reducing hiring costs for companies while improving retention rates. 
• These training courses focus on in-demand skills like cybersecurity, cloud computing, software development, and more.

Practical, Job-Ready Skills

• Per Scholas, learners are trained based on the latest technologies, tools, and methodologies.
• Partnerships with industry leaders ensure alignment with real-world requirements. 

Diversity-Driven Talent Pool

• Per Scholas learners in 2024 were 85% POC and 42% women. Support is offered to increase diversity in the tech workforce, including resources like Women in Tech. 
• Per Scholas can help organizations meet their DEI goals, as courses and resources are developed based on the unique challenges faced by women, gender-diverse, people of color, neurodiverse, veterans, people with disabilities, etc. 

Learn more: Per Scholas & TEKsystems: Four Tips for Evaluating Your Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy.

Proven Track Record

• Per Scholas alumni unlock their potential and move into specialized tech positions, helping them find rewarding technology careers while contributing to business success. Explore alumni stories to see the talent associated with Per Scholas. 
• Data shows that employees trained at Per Scholas lower turnover rates by 30%. These individuals also support lower recruiting costs and the development of a diversified tech team. 

Related: Why hire a Per Scholas graduate?

How Tech Leaders Can Partner with Per Scholas

When considering the latest hiring trends and advances in technology, it’s critical that tech leaders leverage the right partnerships. Options to partner with Per Scholas include:

• Custom hiring solutions: Explore opportunities to co-design training programs tailored to your specific needs. This strategy will help you optimize the ROI of your hiring in tech processes. 
• Internship and apprenticeship programs: Bridge-to-hire pathways that allow employers to evaluate talent while building practical experience.
• Corporate sponsorships: Collaborate to expand training initiatives and invest in the future of tech talent.

Take an Innovative Approach to Hiring in 2025 

In 2025, tech leaders will need to take a more innovative approach when aiming to build a top-talent tech team. If you’re in this position, seeking tech talent, a partnership with Per Scholas is the solution you seek. 

Let’s shape the future of tech together. Partner with Per Scholas to find your next hire.

Learn more or schedule a consultation with Per Scholas today!

For updates and stories, check out the following Per Scholas accounts:

• Twitter
• LinkedIn

Per Scholas is excited to be celebrating Arianna Hernandez’s inspiring story, which was recently featured in The Muse. The article highlights Arianna’s incredible journey from overcoming personal and professional challenges as an immigrant to breaking into the tech industry with the help of the Per Scholas IT Support program. Her story is a testament to the power of determination, resilience, and the transformative impact that accessible education can have on someone’s life.

When Arianna arrived in the U.S. from Venezuela, she faced a daunting set of challenges: a new language, an unfamiliar culture, and the need to start her career over from scratch. Like many immigrants, she faced barriers that made it difficult to transition into a new field, especially one as competitive as tech. However, Arianna was determined to find a way forward. After holding several roles in logistics and customer service, she came across Per Scholas, which she describes as a turning point.

Our program provided Arianna with more than just technical skills. Through in-person classes, hands-on labs, and professional development support, she gained both the hard and soft skills needed to navigate a tech career. The program’s resources not only helped her pass industry-recognized certifications like the CompTIA A+, but also gave her the confidence to pursue opportunities she once thought were beyond her reach. Arianna’s success in securing a help desk analyst role with Republic Services just months after graduating is a powerful example of what is possible when individuals are given the tools and support to thrive.

Arianna’s story is particularly meaningful as it reflects the core mission of Per Scholas to create pathways into tech careers for individuals who might otherwise be overlooked due to systemic barriers. The Muse’s feature on Arianna celebrates her hard work and dedication while highlighting the importance of initiatives that create more opportunities for diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. By offering no-cost, high-quality tech training to individuals who are frequently excluded from these opportunities, whether because of financial limitations, lack of access, or biases, Per Scholas is working to build a more equitable workforce.

Stories like Arianna’s fuel our commitment to expand our programs and reach even more individuals across the country. We firmly believe that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. By investing in our learners’ growth and development, we are not only transforming their lives but also enriching the tech industry with diverse perspectives and skills.

Thank you to The Muse for spotlighting Arianna’s journey and the broader impact of our work at Per Scholas. We are proud to be a part of stories like hers and are excited to continue empowering talented individuals to achieve their career aspirations, no matter where they start.

On October 24th, Blue Meridian held their annual Partnership Summit, which brings together organizations with a shared commitment to improve the lives of marginalized communities in the US. The concept of this year’s summit was “Unlocking Potential,” an integral theme close to Per Scholas’ heart.

Per Scholas’ President and CEO, Plinio Ayala, was a featured speaker at the event, hosting a breakout room panel discussion entitled “Changing the Face of Technology.” Plinio discussed Per Scholas’ commitment to unlocking potential for individuals, families, communities, companies, and local economies through technical skills training. He highlighted the significance of diversity in tech, and the importance of connecting our skilled alumni with employers, enabling alumni to launch thriving, high-growth careers in tech.

Two of our wonderful Per Scholas alumni were featured in the panel: Moja Chatman, who graduated from Per Scholas’ AWS re/Start course in September 2020 and now works as a Junior Software Developer at Barclays, and Jadah Stone, who graduated from Per Scholas’ Network Support course in 2019, and now works as a Systems Engineer at Saks Cloud Services.

Jadah and Moja shared their experiences at Per Scholas, as well as their journey’s to success post-graduation, and emphasized the importance of organizations like Per Scholas in helping others who wish to find a pathway to economic mobility.