Per Scholas National Capital Region’s Senior Managing Director, Jessica Diaz Council, and Site Director, Monique Singleton, spoke with Black Enterprise and shared insights into Per Scholas’s impact and growth.

Per Scholas, a leading nonprofit organization, is making significant strides in bridging the gap between underserved communities and high-paying tech careers through its no-cost professional tech training programs. With operations in nearly two dozen cities, including recent expansions to Buffalo, New York, and Kansas City, Missouri, Per Scholas is at the forefront of efforts to diversify the tech workforce.

Founded in the Bronx, New York, Per Scholas began as a tech recycling initiative and has since grown into a nationwide organization committed to providing access to quality education. TPer Scholas’s programs are designed not only to equip learners with essential technical skills but also to offer comprehensive support, including mental health services and financial coaching, ensuring their holistic success.

One of the latest initiatives from Per Scholas is a cybersecurity apprenticeship program, licensed by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, which addresses the increasing demand for cybersecurity professionals. This program is a part of Per Scholas’s ongoing efforts to align its training with industry needs, ensuring graduates are job-ready.

“Our mission is to provide tuition-free, relevant, and high-quality tech training that truly prepares our learners for success,” said Jessica Diaz Council, Senior Managing Director of Per Scholas National Capital Region. “Through close collaboration with employer partners and a strong support system, we are changing lives and making a lasting impact on the tech industry.”

Per Scholas continues to offer rolling admissions and is actively engaged in fundraising efforts to sustain its tuition-free model, allowing the organization to expand its reach and continue democratizing access to education across the country.

Read the full conversation here.

Per Scholas, a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing economic equity through tech training, is expanding its reach to Buffalo, New York. The organization, which operates in nearly two dozen locations across the U.S., offers free, rigorous training programs aimed at equipping underrepresented individuals with the skills needed to secure high-paying tech jobs.

Per Scholas Buffalo will welcome its first cohort of 20 learners on October 15, 2024, in its newly renovated campus at the Larkin at Exchange building. The 13-week program is designed for individuals 18 and older, with a high school diploma or equivalent, who are ready to work in the U.S. immediately.

“Buffalo’s growing tech sector presents an ideal environment for our expansion,” said Jeremy Besch, Managing Director of Per Scholas Buffalo. “We are committed to ensuring that our learners, many of whom may initially find this new environment intimidating, feel welcomed and prepared to thrive in their future careers.”

The organization plans to train 60 more learners in Buffalo throughout 2025, with potential expansion to additional satellite locations in Western New York. Per Scholas has a proven track record, with an 85% graduation rate and securing full-time employment within a year.

Per Scholas Buffalo is supported by funding from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, Empire State Development, Amazon, and the NFL, among others. Applications are open until September 30, 2024.

Read more here!

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!

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.