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.

Per Scholas North Carolina was featured on a news segment on “Positively Charlotte.” Per Scholas North Carolina Managing Director Michael Terrell joined alum Shana Franks on the program to discuss our no-cost training and recent $1 million grant from The BlackRock Foundation.

Watch the full segment here.

Per Scholas is honored to be featured in The New York Times article by Steve Lohr, which explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping the software engineering field and the role of workforce development programs in preparing talent for the future.

The article highlights how Per Scholas, through its no-cost technology training programs, is equipping individuals with in-demand skills needed to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving tech industry. As AI changes the nature of coding and software development, Per Scholas’s training ensures that aspiring technologists have the foundational knowledge and adaptability to succeed.

A key highlight of the article is the success story of Ismail FoFana, a Per Scholas graduate who leveraged the training and career support offered by the program to break into the tech industry. His journey is a testament to the power of high-quality, accessible education in creating life-changing opportunities and addressing the talent gap in the sector.

Per Scholas remains committed to our mission of advancing economic mobility by providing rigorous tech training, career development, and employer connections to our learners. As AI continues to reshape the workforce, our role in fostering a skilled pipeline of tech talent has never been more critical.

Read the full New York Times article here.

Per Scholas is proud to highlight MDRC’s recent brief, Navigating Job Search Challenges, which examines the job search experiences of our IT Support graduates. The study reaffirms the strong, lasting earnings impact of our tech training while also identifying challenges some graduates face in securing jobs aligned with their skills—particularly during a weaker labor market.

Through our partnership with MDRC, we are using these insights to refine our job search support, ensuring our alumni have the resources needed to succeed. Read the full brief here.

We are thrilled to announce that Per Scholas North Carolina has received a $1 million, two-year grant from The BlackRock Foundation to support workforce development and economic recovery efforts across the state. This transformative funding will help us expand our programs into western North Carolina, bridging the state’s tech workforce gap and providing job training in rural communities.

Through our partnership with Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, we will offer bootcamp-style IT training designed to equip individuals with the skills needed for remote, high-paying tech jobs. With North Carolina’s tech industry experiencing significant growth—an 18% increase in job postings over the past year—this initiative is critical in ensuring that rural communities have access to these emerging opportunities.

This support comes at a crucial time as Western North Carolina continues to recover from the impact of Hurricane Helene, which displaced thousands and led to widespread job loss. By offering accessible, no-cost training, we are helping residents transition into sustainable tech careers, fostering long-term economic stability in the region.

Over the next two years, this grant will allow us to provide 13-week IT training to 530 students, with a goal of reaching 2,000 North Carolinians by 2029. Our first IT Support cohort will begin on February 24, and applications are now open on our website.

Since launching in North Carolina in 2020, Per Scholas has remained committed to creating economic mobility through technology training. With the continued support of partners like The BlackRock Foundation, we are strengthening our impact and helping to shape the future of North Carolina’s workforce.

When it comes to tech hubs in the United States, a few cities or regions typically come to mind. Of course, there’s Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay area. You might think of Fishkill, New York, where IBM innovated for decades in facilities that now belong to the semiconductor giant GlobalFoundries. Now, there’s a new city establishing itself as one of the fastest-growing hubs for IT tech talent in America — Houston, Texas.

While Austin has traditionally been associated with the tech industry in the Lone Star State, Houston is quickly becoming the new IT capital of Texas. As CIO Magazine said in March 2024, “Houston has emerged as a top Texas competitor to Austin for tech companies, entrepreneurs, and employees who are looking for a lower cost of living.”

The magazine further reported on the tech investment in the city: “In the past five years, venture-backed startups in Houston have received more than $6 billion in venture capital funding, with the city launching more than 80 startup development organizations (SDOs).” 

At the center of all this growth is the Ion District, described by the Greater Houston Partnership as a “16-acre innovation community and economic engine.” It’s no coincidence that the nonprofit IT training organization Per Scholas chose to open its Houston tech training facility in the Ion District, creating a homegrown talent network for Houston’s thriving tech scene.

The ION District and Per Scholas: A Perfect Pair for Houston

According to the Ion District’s 2024 Community Investment Report, workforce development for Houston IT employers is a major focus. That’s out of necessity, as the district’s Houston Facts report noted Houston’s leading position in tech job posting growth nationwide in 2022, with a remarkable 45.6% year-over-year increase.

Per Scholas opened its Houston facility in July 2023, and the timing was right for an IT workforce development partnership. The Ion District and Per Scholas teamed up for a Tech Job Training and Talent Placement Program. In a short time, the program has seen significant growth, receiving over 930 applications, enrolling 48 students across three cohorts, and achieving a 21-graduate milestone. 

Diversity in Tech Training: Opportunities for Everyone

Another thing that makes Per Scholas and the Ion District a good match is their shared commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Working together, Per Scholas and the Ion District strive to provide IT career opportunities and equitable access for all members of the Houston community. 

The latest Per Scholas stats show that 85 percent of their learners are people of color. More than 40 percent identify as women, and more than half have a high school diploma for their highest education credential.

For its part, the Ion District actively promotes diversity within Houston’s tech ecosystem through its Inclusive Tech Accelerator and Inclusive Tech Investment Fund. This initiative is backed by a combined $6.5 million investment from Rice University, providing crucial support to minority and women-owned businesses (MWBEs) in advancing their products and services.

The district has also implemented an MWBE Outreach and Technical Assistance program, hosting seven events attended by over 800 individuals. This program connects MWBEs with expert advisors to guide them in navigating and capitalizing on economic development opportunities within the Ion District.

Per Scholas IT Courses Offered in Houston

Per Scholas’ Houston facility offers industry-standard training across a wide range of IT subjects to equip alumni with the most in-demand skills. One of the more popular Per Scholas programs is the IT Support course. Learners receive comprehensive training in IT support fundamentals, culminating in the prestigious Google IT Support Professional Certificate and the industry-standard CompTIA A+ certification. 

Designed for individuals with no prior IT experience or coursework, Per Scholas programs like the IT Support course equip learners with the practical skills and knowledge sought after by employers in Houston’s rapidly evolving tech sector.

For those with some previous experience, Per Scholas offers the Software Engineer program. This 15-week course covers front-end development with React and back-end development with Node.js. It then moves into advanced topics like design patterns and system architecture. Recognizing the rapid pace of technological advancement, the curriculum undergoes a thorough review and updates every two quarters to ensure learners have the most relevant and up-to-date skills.

Learn More About Per Scholas Houston Tech Training

Houston is a natural fit for Per Scholas, as the national nonprofit organization has a long history of providing IT training where it can make the most impact. Besides Houston, Per Scholas operates in several major cities across the United States, including New York City, Washington D.C., Baltimore, Atlanta, Detroit, and more.

At all their locations, Per Scholas programs offer intensive, skills-based training programs emphasizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Per Scholas has also implemented several successful job placement programs across its facilities, ensuring alumni can secure good jobs in their local technology sectors. To learn more, view the upcoming courses at Per Scholas Houston.

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 thrilled to have been featured in the New York Times, celebrating our success in preparing underemployed and underrepresented individuals for cutting-edge tech careers.

For nearly three decades, Per Scholas has offered free, comprehensive training programs that have transformed lives and careers across the nation. From its humble beginnings in the South Bronx in 1995, Per Scholas has expanded to 24 cities and trained over 25,000 people, with 85% being people of color and 40% women. Our organization also works closely with tech employers to ensure that graduates possess in-demand skills upon graduation, and offers professional development training and job attainment support for learners. A rigorous analysis from MDRC  found that, by 2020, the economic benefits of the training – including increased wages and reduced dependence on social services – totaled an estimated 800% of the training costs.

Per Scholas’s commitment to providing free, high-quality training is made possible through donor support, with contributions directly funding various aspects of the program, from textbooks to comprehensive learning support. The New York Times Communities Fund has supported Per Scholas since 2023, helping to maintain our policy of never charging learners for any aspect of their training.

Read the full article here.

The tech industry has seen rapid evolution over the past decade — even the past couple of years have been transformative. While the advancements have been significant, creating a ripple effect throughout nearly every industry, the IT industry in 2025 is poised for another pivotal year in technology. 

Research shows that an estimated 89% of IT structures will undergo some form of re-design in 2025, requiring a new focus on current and emerging IT skills. There is already a major skills gap and an urgency for reskilling, especially in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI).

Workforce readiness is imperative to prepare for the opportunities ahead. Here is what to consider for those seeking a role in the fast-growing tech industry. 

Tech Trends Shaping Jobs in 2025

The following trends will continue to shape and evolve the tech industry. These trends influence everything from healthcare to finance. Focusing on these trends and the opportunities they’ll present will help the workforce of tomorrow choose interesting and in-demand roles. 

• Artificial intelligence and machine Learning: Expanding applications in business automation, healthcare, and personalized experiences — just to name a few. The key will be to align talent with tech innovation. 
• Quantum computing: Breakthroughs in solving complex problems, cryptography, and optimization. There are opportunities for major scientific achievements that could advance everything from route planning to drug discoveries, thanks to the latest algorithms. 
• Sustainable tech initiatives: Growth of green technologies, energy-efficient computing, and eco-friendly supply chains. Again, AI, blockchain, and IoT will all shape sustainability practices and revolutionize industries. In 2025, more cities will also take a green approach via smart urban technologies. 
• Extended reality (XR): The evolution of AR/VR technologies in entertainment, education, and enterprise solutions will drive the development of unique workforce demands across healthcare, real estate, retail, manufacturing, and many other industries. 
• Cybersecurity innovations: The increasing demand for robust protection in the age of IoT and decentralized networks will drive a need for those with specific cybersecurity skills. Cybersecurity apprenticeship programs can provide a gateway into this area. There are also roles, such as security analysts, requiring cryptocurrency-related knowledge and skills. 
• Web3 and blockchain: Redefining finance, ownership, and digital interactions. Up until now, businesses tied to Web3 have relied on regulatory clarity. However, 2025 is anticipated to be a big year concerning market activity, adoption, and innovation. 

Skills in Demand for 2025 and Beyond

Many are already embarking on a path that prepares them for the skills that are growing in demand. Whether taking your first certification course or upskilling, lifelong learning will remain imperative when working in the tech industry — especially in the coming years as IT infrastructures shift. 

The following areas should be approached with the mentality of lifelong learning, with many of these being high-demand IT jobs in 2025:

• Cloud computing
• Data analytics and engineering
• Cybersecurity expertise
• Software development with a focus on AI integration

Soft skills like problem-solving, adaptability, and effective communication in multidisciplinary teams will also be relevant. These essential skills are imperative for anyone who strives to become an IT expert. 

Bridging the Skills Gap with Per Scholas

Those already in the industry see the importance of reskilling in 2025 and beyond. Those not investing in lifelong IT learning will lose their competitive edge. However, those who invest in bridging skill gaps now could become leaders moving into the future. 

Introducing Per Scholas

Per Scholas can help by offering free, high-quality, no-cost tech training, where more than 25,000 alumni have launched successful tech careers. Per Scholas’ goal is to unlock potential, create pathways for those from diverse backgrounds, and change the face of technology. 

Per Scholas equips learners with in-demand skills that align with industry needs. These skills shape the programs offered, focusing on the latest trends and how they relate to today’s modern workforce. These programs are designed to empower future technologists —  those who have the potential to make a difference in the tech space. 

Read more about what Per Scholas alumni have to say about their experiences. 

Throughout the process, Per Scholas highlights the importance and impact of diversity and inclusion within the tech industry. This goal is achieved through targeted outreach and support programs, such as unlocking the potential of the military community. 

Creating a Pipeline of Skilled Hires

Once learners complete their education, Per Scholas helps them enter the industry through employer partnerships. Per Scholas provides these employers with a pipeline of skilled, passionate hires — everyone wins. IT jobs in 2025 will be in high demand, with employers seeking candidates who can provide them with a competitive advantage. Once this demand spikes, alumni who have their foot in the door can create a meaningful, high-income career — without having to pay for their initial education. 

How Per Scholas and Similar Programs Shape the Future of Work

Per Scholas develops customized training for IT jobs in 2025 and beyond. The curricula are based on employers’ evolving needs and industry demands. Learners are provided with certifications and hands-on experience, making them hire-ready. 

Financial support, mentorship, and career placement assistance are offered to address socioeconomic barriers and help alumni progress. The aim is to make tech accessible when the industry and employers need it most. 

Are You a Potential Tech Employee or an Organization Seeking New Hires?

Per Scholas helps both sides of the fence — employees and employers. 

For Employees:

• Embrace lifelong learning to remain competitive
• Explore mentorship opportunities to uplift the next generation of technologists

For Organizations:

• Support initiatives like Per Scholas through sponsorships, partnerships, or hiring graduates
• Invest in diverse talent pipelines to fuel innovation and equity

Take an Active Approach to the IT Industry in 2025

In 2024, the tech industry will see transformative trends requiring specialized training. 

Initiatives like Per Scholas will prepare a future-ready, inclusive workforce for all. 

Ready to take an active role in shaping tomorrow’s tech workforce? Learn more about launching your career, or if you have questions about hiring, you can talk to a Talent Solutions expert today!