Per Scholas Pittsburgh is proud to announce that we are the recipients of a significant grant from The Heinz Endowments to support the expansion of our no-cost technology skills training programs and fuel career pathways for hundreds of individuals across the region.

This crucial funding will enable Per Scholas Pittsburgh to enroll at least 460 learners by October 2027, significantly broadening access to high-growth tech careers. The enrollment strategy focuses on two key locations: the downtown hub campus, which serves the large majority of Per Scholas learners, and the new Glassport Satellite Campus, which is dedicated to providing accessible training in the Mon Valley region, reflecting a commitment to bringing opportunity closer to underserved communities.

This expansion is projected to empower a large group of learners, including an estimated 100 young adults ages 18-24, ensuring that the next generation is prepared for the digital economy.

An integral cornerstone of this effort’s success is strengthening strategic alliances that connect learners directly to employment and support. Per Scholas will focus on building and deepening three types of partnerships:

• Growing a recently launched initiative with the South Allegheny School District and Glassport Borough to operate the new Mon Valley satellite campus.
• Developing collaborations in critical fields like cybersecurity with several top employer partners.
• Expanding existing and establishing new community partnerships to focus on the recruitment and wraparound support necessary for young adults to succeed.

This support from The Heinz Endowments reinforces Per Scholas’s mission to drive economic mobility in the Pittsburgh region by creating a skilled tech workforce. “This investment is about more than just expanding a program. It represents a commitment to people and creating new opportunities in Pittsburgh and the Mon Valley regions,” reflected Per Scholas Pittsburgh Managing Director Gene Walker. “The impact of this work has the potential to revitalize communities and create generational change that will accelerate the area’s growth and influence in the tech sector.”

About The Heinz Endowments:

The Heinz Endowments works to grow an exemplary, sustainable Pittsburgh region where everyone prospers and belongs. Our work in Arts & Culture; Civic Participation; Climate, Environment & Health; Community & Economic Development; Food Systems; Veterans; and Workforce is supported by reliable data based on results-focused goals. The Endowments is among the 60 largest philanthropic organizations in the United States, distributing approximately $90 million in grants annually. 

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. On average, our learners earn 3x their pre-training wage in their first role after Per Scholas. With 25+ 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.

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Per Scholas, a national leader in no-cost technology training, proudly announces it has received its first-ever multi-year grant from the William Penn Foundation to reduce barriers to accessing quality jobs in Philadelphia. This landmark commitment will provide essential, sustained support for Per Scholas Philadelphia’s mission to open doors to technology careers for individuals in Philadelphia communities, strengthening its position as a critical workforce development engine in the city.

This significant investment made by the William Penn Foundation is part of a collaborative effort from a coalition of funders to support access to workforce training and follows closely on the heels of the formal launch of Per Scholas Philadelphia’s satellite location on November 17th. The grant not only recognizes the immediate impact of Per Scholas’ no-cost, demand-driven training model but also builds critical momentum as Per Scholas Philadelphia scales its efforts across the region to reduce barriers to tech workforce training.

In addition, this grant will allow Per Scholas to:

• Sustain and grow our core workforce development programs.
• Deepen employer partnerships to increase job placement rates.
• Build credibility within the philanthropic and corporate community as a proven solution for economic mobility.

“With this generous investment from William Penn Foundation and its funding partners, the future technologists in our classrooms will continue to thrive with help from our Learner Support Team made up of MSWs and Financial Coaches who provide support from acceptance through post-graduation,” said Per Scholas Philadelphia Managing Director Joshua Park. “They’ll get to take advantage of our Zero-Percent Loan program, and they’ll benefit from the expanded community partnerships we’re building to multiply barrier-reduction supports across local organizations like OIC Philadelphia, where we’ve launched our IT Support satellite classroom.”

Since establishing its presence in the region, Per Scholas Philadelphia has been committed to providing rigorous training in fields including IT Support, Cybersecurity, and Software Engineering. The organization partners with leading employers to ensure graduates possess the skills needed for immediate and long-term success.

Per Scholas Philadelphia is excited to embark on this work with support from the William Penn Foundation, furthering its commitment to advancing economic mobility and transforming the tech landscape in the region.

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. On average, our learners earn 3x their pre-training wage in their first role after Per Scholas. With 25+ 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.

About William Penn Foundation

The William Penn Foundation, founded in 1945 by Otto and Phoebe Haas, is committed to expanding access to resources and opportunities that promote a more vital and just city and region for all. We do this through funding programs in the Philadelphia region in arts and culture, children and families, democracy and civic initiatives, environment and public space, and workforce training and services. Learn more at www.williampennfoundation.org.

We are thrilled to announce that Per Scholas was featured in a recent opinion article in The New York Times, “Sound investments in education yield big returns.”

The article highlights seven evidence-based charities partnered with The New York Times Communities Fund to invest in education across various life stages. Per Scholas was recognized for its crucial work in adult education and workforce development, and this marks our third year selected as a beneficiary.

The New York Times specifically highlighted Per Scholas’ commitment to offering robust, no-cost training programs for tech careers, including IT and cybersecurity. 

We are honored to be included among these impactful organizations working to make quality educational opportunities accessible to all.

Read the full opinion article and learn more about the campaign here!

As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, we’re grateful for the learners, alumni, and partners who make Per Scholas’ work possible. In a new #QuickTake conversation, Per Scholas President Caitlyn Brazill sat down with Brooke DeRenzis, CEO of the National Skills Coalition, to discuss how high-quality, sector-focused training programs can create lasting economic mobility.

The discussion shows how Per Scholas’ no-cost IT training programs combine industry-recognized credentials with supportive services, financial coaching, and strong employer connections. Caitlyn explained how the organization’s dual focus on learners and employers ensures programs match industry needs and prepare learners for meaningful careers.

Learners gain from accelerated training tracks, integrated technical and professional skills, and wraparound supports that help them succeed. With 85% graduation rates and average earnings growth of three times pre-training wages, the programs have a significant impact on economic mobility. Caitlyn and Brooke also explored policy implications. They emphasized that investing in learners — including transportation, childcare, and more — helps more individuals achieve their career goals.

We are thankful for the chance to share this conversation. It celebrates the resilience, dedication, and aspirations of our learners.

📹 Watch the full conversation here: Quick Take with Brooke DeRenzis and special guest Caitlyn Brazill

Los Angeles, CA — We are proud to announce that Per Scholas has officially been selected for the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO)’s new High Road Training Partnerships (HRTP) Fund, a grant program that provides over $17 million in funding for innovative, high-quality workforce training models that are delivered through partnerships with worker-centered organizations and employers and that result in greater equity, sustainability, and job quality.

The program addresses the technology sector’s persistent skills gap and prioritizes underrepresented learners, including opportunity youth and individuals historically excluded from high-quality tech training and employment. In partnership with Goodwill of Southern California and the Los Angeles County Internal Services Department, Per Scholas will deliver a comprehensive training program combining technical instruction, soft skills, and hands-on experience to prepare learners for in-demand technology careers.

Program Highlights:

• 300–500 hours of hands-on instruction covering key IT concepts and professional skills.
• Industry-recognized credentials, including CompTIA A+ and Google IT Support certifications.
• Paid, real-world experience as Digital Navigators, providing community members with digital access support while building practical technology skills.

Through this initiative, participants will gain the education, support, and connections needed to secure long-term employment while also advancing systems-level outcomes such as equitable workforce pathways and inclusive hiring practices in the tech industry. Prospective participants can learn more and apply at https://www.perscholas.org/locations/los-angeles.

“At Per Scholas, we believe that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Through the High Road Digital Pathways partnership, we’re changing that—connecting Angelenos from underrepresented communities to the education, tools, and experiences they need to thrive in the technology sector. This initiative isn’t just about training people for jobs; it’s about building a future where digital equity, economic mobility, and human potential move forward together.”
— Patrice Madu, Per Scholas Los Angeles Managing Director

“In 2025, searching for a job, visiting a doctor, or signing up for a bank account all require digital access and know-how. This $1 million investment is catalyzing a workforce of Digital Navigators that will support community members in overcoming the very real digital divide, which we know disproportionately impacts Black, Latino, Indigenous, and other historically disinvested households, while also advancing the Navigators’ skills and experiences for dynamic, cross-sector tech careers here in Los Angeles County. We are so excited to build on our digital equity investments at DEO and across the County through this new program and partnership.” — Kelly LoBianco, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity

Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Care First Community Investment, the twenty grantees selected for the HRTP Fund are each developing or expanding worker- and industry-informed training programs that serve Los Angeles County individuals most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and racial and economic inequities. The sectors, communities, and training models represented through this fund are diverse—ranging from construction, hospitality and tourism, and the creative sector; to communities such as justice-involved individuals and opportunity youth; and models including pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, and other high-quality training approaches.

About DEO:
The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity, launched in July 2022, helps job seekers, entrepreneurs, small businesses, major industries, and communities access life-changing opportunities, and is also home to the Office of Small Business, Los Angeles County’s one-stop shop dedicated to prospective entrepreneurs and small business owners. Stay connected with DEO! Follow @EconOppLA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, subscribe to our newsletter, or visit opportunity.lacounty.gov to learn about DEO services.

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. 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.

Detroit, MI — Detroit’s tech and energy landscape is accelerating fast, and a new episode of DisruptED spotlights the people and partnerships fueling that momentum. Recorded live at the Power Up Detroit conference, the episode brings together voices at the forefront of the city’s workforce transformation.

Hosted by Ron J. Stefanski, the conversation features Kenneth Leroy W., Executive Vice President at Per Scholas, and Laura Chavez, Managing Director of Per Scholas Detroit. Together, they discuss how the organization is working closely with employers, community leaders, and grassroots innovators to equip Detroiters with the skills needed in a rapidly evolving economy.

The episode highlights several key drivers shaping Detroit’s next chapter:

• A booming tech and energy sector: Detroit is emerging as a national leader in mobility, clean energy, and advanced technology, creating new opportunities for both residents and employers.

• Community-powered innovation: Movements like Black Tech Saturdays are helping to diversify the tech landscape and build pathways for underrepresented talent.

• Industry-aligned training: Per Scholas continues to expand access to in-demand tech careers, offering flexible, employer-informed programs designed to meet Detroit’s growing workforce needs.
  

As Detroit continues its resurgence, organizations like Per Scholas play a critical role in ensuring local talent is prepared to thrive in the city’s modern economy.

🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://lnkd.in/eJiq3ne8

Since launching in 2019, the Per Scholas Philadelphia campus has trained more than 745 learners, equipping them with critical tech skills such as IT Support and Cybersecurity.

Today, alongside elected officials, community and employer partners, colleagues, inaugural cohort learners, and friends, Per Scholas Philadelphia hosted its Satellite Campus Launch at OIC Philadelphia with remarks from Bret Perkins, Senior Vice President, External and Government Affairs, Comcast; Sharif Street, Pennsylvania State Senator, District 3; Rue Landau, Councilmember, City of Philadelphia, At-Large; Jeffery Young Jr., Councilmember, City of Philadelphia, 5th District and Melissa Scott, Chief Information Officer, City of Philadelphia.

“At Per Scholas, we believe that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. With this new satellite campus, we’re bringing access to no-cost, tech education to North Philadelphia,” stated Joshua Park, Per Scholas Philadelphia Managing Director. “By partnering with OIC Philadelphia, we’re meeting learners where they are, providing the skills, resources, and networks they need to build thriving tech careers. This partnership represents what happens when mission-driven organizations work together to open doors to opportunity and drive lasting impact for Philadelphians.”

“At OIC Philadelphia, we’ve always believed in the power of partnership to create transformative change, and our collaboration with Per Scholas perfectly embodies this principle. In the legacy of our founder, Reverend Dr. Leon Sullivan, we’re committed to connecting our community members to family-sustaining careers with real growth potential. We’re thrilled to welcome Per Scholas to OIC Philadelphia this November, where together we’ll continue breaking down barriers and building pathways to economic opportunity for Philadelphia residents,” stated Sheila Ireland, President & Chief Executive Officer, OIC Philadelphia. “This partnership represents the kind of meaningful collaboration that creates lasting change, one life at a time.“

Per Scholas acknowledges Comcast for their generous contribution that made this Satellite Campus possible.

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 Philadelphia area. Per Scholas Philadelphia is transforming lives and will continue to shape Philadelphia’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 Philadelphia, follow them on LinkedIn or Per Scholas Philadelphia.

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. 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.

About OIC Philadelphia

Founded in 1964 by Reverend Dr. Leon Sullivan, OIC Philadelphia has stood at the intersection of social justice, workforce development, and economic empowerment. Our mission is to foster connections to family-sustaining jobs with clear career ladder opportunities, enabling economic mobility for underserved Philadelphia residents. Through industry-recognized vocational training, comprehensive support services, and strategic employer partnerships, we create pathways to meaningful employment that transforms not just individual lives, but entire communities.

Located at 1231 N. Broad Street in a 100,000 square foot facility, OIC Philadelphia serves as a beacon of opportunity in North Philadelphia. With over 55,000 alumni since our founding, we have demonstrated unwavering commitment to breaking cycles of poverty and creating sustainable pathways to economic stability. Our organization operates with a deep understanding that workforce development extends beyond skills training to encompass holistic support that addresses the complex barriers facing our participants.

How Per Scholas Became 70% More Efficient in Matching Talent to Opportunities with Help from AdeptID

Executive Summary

Per Scholas, a national organization providing no-cost technology training to underrepresented individuals, partnered with AdeptID to enhance job attainment support for learners. Previously, Per Scholas staff manually reviewed thousands of alumni resumes for each employer job posting for capability, a process that took nearly a week per position. By implementing AI-powered talent matching, Per Scholas reduced resume submission time to under two days, boosting efficiency and increasing staff confidence, with 90% of team members trusting the AI’s recommendations. The solution also benefited Per Scholas learners directly; 75% of learners reported better resume presentation skills, and 71% felt more confident articulating their capabilities to employers.

The Challenge: Manual Processes in a Fast-Moving Industry

Per Scholas’s Tech Talent Solutions (TTS) team works to connect newly skilled graduates with employer partners hiring for related roles. As Per Scholas expanded, a bottleneck emerged. TTS team members spent dozens of hours each week manually reviewing thousands of alumni resumes for each job opening. 

This created a significant opportunity cost, as time spent reviewing resumes kept staff from building employer relationships and supporting alumni with job readiness.

“We were doing incredible work connecting our Per Scholas technologists with opportunities, but the manual nature of our matching process was limiting our ability to scale our impact,” explains Tamara Johnson, Chief Operating Officer at Per Scholas. “In tech hiring, positions are filling more quickly than ever. Every day spent on manual resume review could mean a missed opportunity for both our alumni and employer partners. With AdeptID, we’re not only able to connect job seekers to opportunities faster than ever, but we can also identify Per Scholas alumni who are the best fit for a particular job based on the specific skill set gained from their prior years of employment, as well as their Per Scholas training.”

The Solution: AI-Powered Talent Matching

Per Scholas partnered with AdeptID to integrate their talent-matching AI into the tools used by TTS staff, allowing automatic evaluation of graduate fit for job opportunities. When TTS team members receive a new job opening, they instantly receive a ranked list of graduates who would be a fit for the role, along with insights about relevant skills and potential growth areas.

Unlike traditional keyword-matching systems, this solution analyzes each learner’s unique profile, including work history, education, and training achievements, to holistically understand a graduate’s skills and potential. This is particularly important for the adult learners that Per Scholas trains, where the average age is 33. Per Scholas learners often bring years of previous work history where skills have been developed and are transferable to the job openings received by the TTS team.

“What makes this system special is its ability to understand the full spectrum of an individual’s capabilities,” notes Dan Restuccia, Head of Product at AdeptID. “It doesn’t just look at what someone has done before, it recognizes the new skills they’ve developed through Per Scholas training and their potential to grow into a role.”

The Results: Efficiency, Confidence, and Better Outcomes

Within weeks of implementation, Per Scholas witnessed dramatic improvements:

• Matching time reduced from a week to less than two days
• 90% of staff reported trust in the AI’s ability to identify strong matches
• 75% of learners reported better resume presentation skills
• 71% of learners indicated increased confidence in articulating capabilities

The benefits extended beyond the TTS team. Per Scholas Professional Development coaches, who work directly with learners to prepare them for employment, gained valuable insights into how each individual’s skills align with market demands. 

“From a Professional Development perspective, AdeptID strengthens both the advising process and learner confidence by making career pathways visible early in training, linking skills gained to real job opportunities, and identifying growth areas in a constructive way,” says Brandy Jones, Vice President, Professional Development & Career Services. “Instead of waiting until graduation, learners see data-backed matches to real roles, which validates their progress and motivates them to stay engaged. Coaches can use these insights during resume reviews, mock interviews, and goal-setting sessions, helping learners practice for actual job openings and build confidence in their readiness. By embedding career exploration throughout training, AdeptID reduces last-minute job search pressure and empowers learners to graduate with a clear, practiced, and confident career trajectory.”

Looking Forward: Scaling Success

Per Scholas has implemented AdeptID’s matching within various learning paths across the organization, with the partnership continuing to evolve based on user feedback and emerging needs.

“This partnership exemplifies what’s possible when mission-driven organizations leverage technology to amplify their impact,” says Johnson. “We’re not just matching people to jobs more efficiently, we’re creating a more transparent, accessible pathway to economic mobility while providing our employer partners with the tech talent they need to thrive.”

As the job market grows more volatile and unpredictable, connecting the right candidates with the right employers becomes increasingly challenging. Per Scholas’ use of AI solutions to create meaningful matches for alumni and partners is demonstrating how intentional implementation of AI solutions leads to mutually beneficial outcomes for each side of the interview table.

At Per Scholas, we believe talent is everywhere, even if opportunity is not. Our mission is to advance economic equity through rigorous technical training, professional development, and access to high-growth careers. That mission takes bold partners who believe in the transformative power of skills-first training. With that, we are proud to highlight our partnership with Cognizant.

Through a generous investment, Cognizant is directly enabling Per Scholas to scale our reach and impact, aiming to train 8,500 learners across 25 cities between June 2025 and December 2026. This partnership is the kind of strategic investment that amplifies our success model and our belief that the future isn’t waiting, and neither should talent development.

Cognizant’s investment aims to support aspiring technologists from low- to moderate-income households to pursue careers across five critical pathways: Cybersecurity, Data Engineering, IT Support, Infrastructure Technology, and Software Development. Per Scholas’ training combines 80% technical instruction with 20% professional development, all reinforced by wrap-around supports such as financial coaching, one-on-one counseling, and career readiness services. The result? Learners not only gain in-demand skills, but they are holistically prepared to succeed in the workforce and thrive long-term.

This work is especially critical as the U.S. faces a projected shortfall of 10 million unfilled tech jobs by 2030. Together, we are not just removing barriers for individuals hoping to enter thriving careers; we are shaping a more sustainable tech workforce and filling a critical skills gap that could stall economic progress.

As we move forward in this partnership, we are energized by the potential to reimagine workforce development for the AI era. Per Scholas President Caitlyn Brazill shared:

“What excites me most is the opportunity to use AI not just to build better tools, but to build better lives. With Cognizant’s support, we’re ensuring that individuals from all backgrounds can harness transformative technologies and pursue meaningful careers. Together, we are amplifying the skills-first narrative and showing the world that talent truly can come from anywhere.”

This October marks the second anniversary of Cognizant’s Synapse Initiative and we’re proud to celebrate this next chapter together. This partnership exemplifies the power of aligned vision, meaningful investment, and shared purpose.

Per Scholas is proud to once again be selected as a beneficiary of The New York Times Communities Fund holiday giving campaign, marking our third consecutive year participating in this 114-year-old tradition. Since its inception, the Fund has raised more than $354 million to strengthen communities through the generosity of New York Times readers and supporters.

The New York Times’ continued recognition of Per Scholas underscores our impact in advancing economic mobility through technology education. Support from the Fund in 2024-2025 enabled us to provide 2,282 individuals with the resources needed to participate in our no-cost technology and AI training programs, helping them launch life-changing careers in high-growth fields.

All funds raised from this campaign benefit our Career Access Fund, which provides learners with the essential materials, like textbooks, lab supplies, and certification exam fees needed to succeed. 

Thanks to many generous supporters Per Scholas has now empowered more than 30,000 individuals to pursue thriving careers in tech since 1995. This year, donations to the Fund will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $1 million, by an anonymous donor, doubling the impact of every gift.

To learn more about Per Scholas’s partnership with The Fund and to make a donation, please visit perscholas.org/nyt-communities-fund-2025.

To learn more about The New York Times Communities Fund, visit nytcommunitiesfund.org.