Per Scholas was recently featured in The Chief’s article, “Bronx-based nonprofit builds bridges to tech jobs,” highlighting our no-cost training.

Per Scholas offers technology training at no-cost to learners that helps underemployed adults launch successful IT careers. The training provides hands-on experience in various tech fields, preparing students for jobs like IT support and software engineering.

Per Scholas Alumni like Marie Cari have leveraged this training to secure roles at companies such as Bank of America, with ongoing support from Per Scholas. The organization collaborates with major employers and government agencies to provide employment opportunities for its graduates.

Read more: Per Scholas Builds Bridges to Tech Jobs

Ahead of the Nelsonville Music Festival in July, rapper and activist Killer Mike visited Per Scholas Columbus. Killer Mike’s activism is focused on several causes, including workforce and economic development, especially amongst trades training, making Per Scholas an exciting stop on his current tour.

During this visit, Killer Mike spoke with several Per Scholas Learners and Alumni, learning about their passions, ambitions, and how they’ve unlocked their potential through Per Scholas. A big thanks to Killer Mike for taking the time to visit the campus and meet with our incredible Technologists. And thank you to our partners at Stand Together and SkillUp for making this a possibility. 

The traditional work structure is a thing of the past. In a post-COVID world, more and more workplaces adapt to the employees’ needs. Companies are giving their employees the chance to cultivate new skills and gain new certifications and credentials. By investing in their talent and giving employees more agency, employers are empowering their workforce to be more driven and dedicated.

Read how Per Scholas and employer partner Barclays have embraced this change here!

We are excited to share that Noah Mitchell, Deputy Chief Training Officer at Per Scholas, has been named one of the 2024 Smart 50 Award honorees in Central Ohio! The Smart 50 Awards — presented by Hylant — recognize the top executives of 50 companies in the region for their ability to effectively build and lead savvy organizations. At Per Scholas, Noah provides vital guidance and support in the development and execution of our training department’s strategic vision and initiatives. He oversees the comprehensive development and execution of training programs, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.

Congratulations to Noah and the Smart 50 winners honored this week for their innovation, impact, and efforts in strengthening business continuity in their community.

Comcast has announced a $35 million investment to support workforce development as part of Project UP — Comcast’s comprehensive commitment, aimed at creating economic opportunities and addressing the digital skills gap. As part of this initiative, Per Scholas will receive funding to expand its technology training programs for diverse communities.

Comcast’s investment will help Per Scholas increase the capacity of its training programs, update its curriculum to meet industry standards and strengthen job placement services. By partnering with organizations like Per Scholas, Comcast aims to foster a more diverse and skilled workforce, empowering individuals and supporting economic mobility.

Read the full press release on this investment here.

Earlier this month, Per Scholas was thrilled to participate at the JFF Horizons 2024 Conference in Washington, DC. Our mission is to drive equity and opportunity in the ever-advancing technology landscape by unlocking the untapped potential of individuals, uplifting communities, and meeting the needs of employers through rigorous tech training. 

Per Scholas’s President and CEO Plinio Ayala joined the visionary CEOs of Braven and the National Education Equity Lab, Aimée Eubanks Davis and Leslie Cornfeld, respectively, for the Non-Profits Advancing Economic Mobility & the Workforce of the Future panel, moderated and sponsored by Apollo Opportunity Foundation. During this invigorating discussion, the panelists encouraged attendees to unpack the latest trends and challenges in economic mobility strategies, workforce development, and the future of work.

Our Chief Training Officer Jasmine Miller highlighted the importance of attending the JFF Horizons Conference, specifically stating, “This opportunity has really allowed us to connect with stakeholders across the board from philanthropy to funders policymakers; [its] really an opportunity for all of us to use our power to come together to impact the individuals that we’re here to serve.” Other notable stakeholders we connected with during Horizons included:

• Social entrepreneurs
• K-12 educators and academic researchers
• Data analysts and workforce development experts

These connections reinforce our commitment to building a stronger nation through innovative tech training. We are honored to be part of the national movement to enhance workforce training and build a stronger, more resilient nation.

Common themes throughout Horizons included: for the people, by the people; today’s solutions, tomorrow’s future of work; closing gaps, opening opportunities; and breaking down barriers, bridging the divide. 

JFF Horizons sparked many essential conversations around creating economic equity and advancement for all. Per Scholas was thrilled to attend the conference and even more so to share our insight on unlocking potential of our learners by empowering them with new digital skills and sparking new ways of engaging with employer partners. 

Per Scholas Greater Boston received a Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund grant from Commonwealth Corporation for the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) in 2023. This grant aimed to support Per Scholas’ mission of advancing economic mobility for diverse communities through no-cost technology training and job attainment. With the EOLWD grant, Per Scholas Greater Boston continued to expand its capacity to provide no-cost, high-quality training in IT and cybersecurity, helping more individuals gain the skills needed to attain well-paying jobs in the tech industry. This funding also enabled Per Scholas to enhance its employer partnerships and job placement services, ensuring that graduates can successfully transition into thriving careers.

Watch the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s video feature on Per Scholas Greater Boston here!

Per Scholas’s initiative with ActivateWork was featured in this opinion article, which advocates for Congress to adopt Senator Michael Bennet’s proposal to amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) by creating a Workforce Development Innovation Fund. This fund aims to expand evidence-based workforce development programs, like those in Colorado, which have proven successful in boosting economic mobility and providing high returns on investment. The authors highlight the need for reducing red tape and focusing funding on effective programs to help workers secure better jobs and strengthen the economy and showcases an ActivateWork learner’s experience.

For more details, you can read the full article here.

Some employers still list college degrees as job requirements, but that doesn’t mean they only hire people with bachelor’s or master’s degrees. They’re more interested in knowing you have the right skills to do the job well.

Given this reality, IT certifications are often just as valuable as degrees. In fact, someone with a degree typically needs certifications that demonstrate real-world skills. Even after IT professionals get jobs, they might need to earn additional certifications to remain relevant in their fields. Technology evolves rapidly, so workers must keep up with changes.

Per Scholas empowers individuals by giving them easy access to the tech education needed to pass certification exams. Importantly, Per Scholas often provides no-cost training that prepares you for your chosen IT certifications roadmap. Considering the average college student pays over $14,000 for tuition and fees each year, certifications have an obvious allure.

With Per Scholas, you could start earning money sooner without investing in high-priced college programs. But you need to take the right path to reach that goal.

Understanding the IT Certification Landscape

Before investing time or money, every learner should familiarize themselves with the various IT certification options available.

Foundational

Foundational IT certifications usually prepare you to work at a help desk, where you’ll assist clients who encounter issues with their computers, software, routers, etc. While these positions are often entry-level, they expose you to a wide range of concepts essential to IT. If you’re just getting started or don’t know what kind of career you want, explore foundational IT certifications.

Networking

Networking certifications often qualify you to do more than maintain and monitor computer networks. After proving your skills and gaining some real-world experience, you could work on projects that involve:

• Designing networks
• Integrating new assets with existing networks
• Helping companies choose networking options that fit their operational needs

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity professionals protect data and IT assets in many ways. Some options include becoming:

• An incident manager who oversees IT maintenance and performance
• An information security consultant who helps companies protect their precious data
• A security engineer who develops and implements a plan that protects an organization’s IT assets

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing became an indispensable technology during the pandemic, and companies have continued to find new ways to embrace its benefits. As someone certified in cloud computing, you can help employers and clients get the most out of this emerging technology.

Software Development

Software development includes a broad range of projects. Popular career paths take qualified professionals to areas like:

• Developing web apps that help websites serve visitors
• Web designing that considers accessibility, functionality, and security
• Writing code that contributes to the success of larger applications

Choosing an IT Certification Roadmap

You’ll want to take some time to think about your career goals before committing to any IT certification roadmap. You can’t know where to start until you know where you’re going.

For example, if you know you want to work in security, you wouldn’t start learning software development before you master the fundamentals of IT security. You might decide to learn extra skills later to qualify for more job opportunities, but you can always earn additional certificates after you’ve secured a job.

The good news is that many IT professionals don’t need to complete college degrees to find jobs. You could get a job in computer science with no degree as long as you choose the right IT certifications.

If you can display skills in areas like software development, data analysis, and coding, plenty of employers will want you on their teams. Again, just make sure you choose certifications that align with your career goals.

Foundational IT Certifications

Foundational IT certifications ensure you have the essential skills to start your career. After passing these certification exams, you’re ready to enter the job market. Later, you might want to build on your skills to qualify for jobs that demand more advanced skills.

Regardless of how your career progresses, you want to start with certifications like CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) and CompTIA A+.

With CompTIA A+, you’ll learn valuable skills related to:

• Installing and managing operating systems
• Troubleshooting network issues
• Configuring computer systems
• Managing data
• Performing preventative maintenance

Every employer will expect you to have these skills. Earning a certification puts their minds at ease so they can feel comfortable hiring you for entry-level positions.

Specialized IT Certification Tracks

After learning fundamental skills, your IT certification roadmap will become more specific to your individual interests and goals. Consider earning some of the following certifications to advance your career.

Networking Certifications

If you want to pursue a career in networking, focus on certifications like CompTIA Network+ and CCNA. These certifications tell potential employers you have skills in:

• Using automation to compare, control, and manage networks
• Troubleshoot connectivity issues
• Configuring routers
• Improving network security
• Teaching others how to protect networks from security threats

You don’t need previous experience to take these certification exams, but you’ll need to learn essential skills to pass.

Cybersecurity Certifications

Digital transformation has made organizations more adaptable and nimble than ever. Committing to digital processes and products, however, increases cybersecurity risks. That’s why cybersecurity experts should have ample job prospects in the near future. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the job market to grow by 32% from 2022 to 2032.

To get started as a cybersecurity professional, pass the CompTIA Security+ certification exam. Preparing for the exam will introduce you to fundamental concepts about:

• Mitigating threats and vulnerabilities
• Choosing safe hardware, software, and data management processes
• Managing security programs
• Securing enterprise software

Once you establish the basics, your IT certification roadmap can lead you to more advanced options like:

• CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)
• CISM (Certified Information Security Manager)
• CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)

Cloud Computing Certifications

Over 95% of enterprises using the public cloud have adopted a multi-cloud strategy. As more companies commit to cloud-based technologies, they’ll need more employees to optimize operations.  

Since Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s largest cloud computing provider, becoming an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner will help you stand out from other job candidates.

Per Scholas’s AWS re/Start training gives you a head start so you can pass the exam and find a position within months. The training prepares you with:

• Real-world projects and labs
• Multi-level projects built with dynamic technologies
• Soft skills that help professionals thrive in work environments

AWS re/Start prepares learners for entry-level positions. You can then follow an IT certifications roadmap that establishes you as an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner. If you prefer Microsoft’s cloud environment, you could pass the Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals exam.

Software Development Certifications

Software developers can earn salaries over $100,000 in a rapidly expanding industry. Before you can get a job, though, you need to prove your skills. Microsoft and Oracle offer some of the most reliable certifications.

Becoming a Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Developer demonstrates skills in:

• IT infrastructure
• Databases
• Building and testing software for the cloud, mobile devices, the web, and other environments

Becoming an Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) offers similar benefits employers find appealing. Depending on the specific track you take, your Oracle certification proves proficiency in areas like developing software in Java and building business tools for in-house use.

Creating Your IT Certification Roadmap

Planning your IT certification roadmap now will make each step easier as you progress toward your goal. Of course, making big decisions can feel intimidating, but don’t let that hold you back. Instead, you can take control of your professional future by following these steps.

Assess Your Personal Interests and Career Objectives

Identify your personal motivations for entering the tech industry. Do you love building things? Then you’ll probably enjoy focusing on software development. Do you like solving difficult problems? Then cybersecurity could fit you well.

You should also determine whether companies want to hire people with your interests. All these areas have tremendous growth potential, but job opportunities vary significantly by location. Review job opportunities in your area to determine whether there are opportunities you’ll enjoy. If you want a remote job, look into how that will influence hiring decisions and your role within a team.

Once you answer these basic questions, you should know which IT certification roadmap to use.

Research Certifications for Your Preferred Career Path

Are there certifications that show you have the right skills for your preferred career path? No matter what you want to do, an organization probably has some certifications that will interest you. Find them and decide which match your needs best.

Of course, you need to prepare for your certification exams. Per Scholas offers several intensive training programs that can help you pass your exam with confidence. Find a course that will get you ready for certification and start your career in technology.

Per Scholas Programs and Resources

Per Scholas supports budding IT professionals by giving them access to reliable training programs. Many courses are specifically designed to help learners pass certification exams.

Generally speaking, you can expect Per Scholas courses to last about 12 weeks. You can find in-person and online learning opportunities, although some courses are only offered in certain cities.

Once enrolled, you will attend classes Monday through Friday to gain as many skills as possible so you can pass your exam without worry.

The approach has worked for plenty of Per Scholas alumni, including:

• Tara Jacobs earned her CompTIA A+ certification and now works as an IT service desk technician in Austin, TX.
• Mira Winkel used Java development skills to become a data engineer in Seattle, WA.
• Simon Ayim took a 15-week Per Scholas course to become a cybersecurity professional in Dallas, TX.

Ready to Get Started? Your Next Steps on the IT Certification Journey

Per Scholas makes it easy to get started on your IT certification journey. With no-cost training held remotely and in many cities, you can learn the skills essential to passing certification exams.

Even if you already work in tech, you need to keep up with the latest trends. Per Scholas can help you become a lifelong learner who excels in a rapidly changing industry.

Apply to Per Scholas training today to get started.

Diversity and inclusion have become critical aspects of recruiting. Obviously, it’s good for organizations to give job applicants a chance regardless of their backgrounds and identities. Perhaps less obvious, though, is that companies embracing diversity and inclusion often perform better than competitors without diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives. 

Some benefits of having a diverse staff include:

• Creative problem-solving that approaches issues from multiple directions.
• Reducing gaps in talent to make companies more agile and profitable.
• Increasing productivity by building happier teams.

If you haven’t addressed diversity and inclusion in your recruitment strategy, you might find the process a bit daunting. 

Per Scholas Diverse by Design is here to help. You can start with the following recommendations.

Creating Diverse Job Postings

Diversity and inclusion initiatives often begin at the recruiting stage. Companies need to write job postings that will attract a broad range of qualified applicants. Some strategies for meeting this goal include:

• Publicizing your diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging (DEIB) statement in the job posting.
• Discussing other important company values that enhance your DEIB statement.
• Prioritizing inclusive, person-first language in your job postings and descriptions.

Keep in mind that cob postings can do more than help you attract a more diverse talent recruitment pool. It can help you recruit high-quality talent that benefits your business outcomes. Surveys show that 53% of all workers see an organization’s commitment to DEIB as a massive benefit that can influence whether they decide to accept job offers.

Expanding Candidate Sourcing Channels

Where do you find your candidates?

Most companies use options like:

• Targeted advertisements or postings in professional publications
• Social media postings
• Colleges 
• Friends of current employees

While these channels can help you find well-qualified candidates, recruiting from the same sources will likely attract applicants from specific demographics. 

Using more channels to connect with potential candidates could lead to a diverse talent pool. Start finding more diverse applicants by:

• Adding hashtags like #LGBTQIA to online job postings to demonstrate your interest in attracting a broader range of people.
• Attending career fairs in more locations or with specific audiences in mind, such as those created to engage women in the tech industry.
• Asking for assistance from local groups, such as the local chapter of the NAACP, or working with professional organizations with minority memberships.

Implementing Blind Resume Reviews

Everyone has unconscious biases that can impact interviews and decision-making. Take steps to reduce or remove these biases so you don’t let unconscious biases influence hiring choices. 

Blind resume reviews remove any identifying information from the resume so hiring managers—or computer programs—cannot make decisions based on features like a candidate’s gender, race, religion, and socioeconomic background.

Additionally, you can include information about your blind hiring process on your job application portal and make it part of your organization’s DEIB mission. By advertising blind hiring and resume reviews as part of your hiring process, you can help people feel comfortable submitting their applications.

Promoting Inclusive Interview Practices

You need interviews to identify qualified candidates. However, like other parts of the hiring process, interviews could favor one segment of the population over others. Your organization can overcome these natural obstacles by promoting inclusive interview practices that promote diversity.

Such practices include:

• Using diverse interview panels that represent multiple segments of the population. This diversity should help applicants feel more comfortable. They also create opportunities for interviewers to ask questions from their unique perspectives, which can lead to more effective hiring decisions.
• Asking all applicants the same questions so you can follow an apples-to-apples comparison when making hiring decisions. Using the same list also helps ensure interviewers don’t ask biased questions.
• Training all people involved in hiring decisions to reduce their unconscious biases. 

When leveraged with other strategies discussed above, inclusive interview practices can dramatically help reduce bias in the hiring process while also allowing you to diversify your hiring. 

Establishing Diversity Goals

Organizations need clear, actionable goals to achieve real, tangible results.

To be clear, diversity goals don’t necessarily have to mean “Hiring X% of people of color.” 

Instead, goals can focus on changing hiring practices, creating more opportunities, and improving your organization’s culture. 

Goals might include:

• Increasing diversity-related training across your organization by partnering with professional organizations or hosting diverse speakers.
• Revamping your organization’s holiday calendar to promote time off for diverse religions.
• Improving your hiring practice to reflect existing diversity within the workplace.
• Creating or improving your DEIB statement.
• Partnering with professional organizations to help you better understand existing roadblocks and how you can improve your company culture. 

Partner With Per Scholas Diverse by Design

Prioritizing diversity and inclusion in recruitment leads to a more innovative workplace culture. It also enhances the overall talent pool by attracting highly skilled candidates who reflect your organizational values.

At Per Scholas Diverse by Design, we understand that the commitment to diversity is new for many organizations. That’s why we offer a robust array of services that can help ensure your hiring practices include diversity and inclusion.

Looking for more information? Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you grow your recruiting efforts by expanding your diversity and inclusion initiatives.