Per Scholas is excited to announce that we received a $1 million grant from JPMorgan Chase to help expand apprenticeship opportunities for learners and scale programs for in-demand occupations.

We are one of four organizations to receive the philanthropic commitment totaling $3.5 million. This commitment will support Per Scholas in developing and piloting a new cybersecurity apprenticeship initiative, which addresses a critical labor shortage while testing a sustainable, innovative, earn-and-learn approach to achieving economic mobility.

“We are incredibly grateful for this generous investment, which will increase our impact and create economic mobility for thousands of individuals in communities across the country, including an anticipated $80M generated in first-year wages for new cyber technologists historically underrepresented in the cybersecurity space,” said Per Scholas President & CEO Plinio Ayala. “We are excited to partner with employers across the country to make this program a success and help close the cybersecurity skills gap.”

This support will also help us expand our existing suite of cybersecurity training programs to reach more learners annually, recruiting unemployed and underemployed talent from Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Newark, St. Louis and Greater Washington region.

Read the full press release here.

Every year, nearly 200,000 men and women transition from U.S. military service to civilian life. Only 1 in 4 has a job lined up when they return — creating the daunting task of translating their military skills into civilian employment opportunities. Per Scholas, in partnership with TEKsystems, is leading the way in supporting the military community by providing tuition-free, full-time immersive training for in-demand technical skills that lead to industry-recognized credentials. This innovative approach empowers military service members, veterans and spouses to build successful careers in the tech industry by not only providing technical training but also fostering business professional skills, providing learner support and direct connections to employers, and creating a clear path to career advancement in tech.

Demand-Driven Training for Military Service Members, Veterans and Spouses

Per Scholas’ no-cost training program is designed to equip participants with in-demand technical skills and is centered around industry-recognized credentials, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to meet the specific needs of the job market. TEKsystems, a global provider of business, technology and talent solutions, is committed to creating diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces in the tech industry. Our partnership with TEKsystems addresses the lack of diversity, including the underrepresentation of veterans, in the industry and the demand for technical talent by combining resources, leaning into strengths, and partnering to widen our reach and deepen our impact for individuals, businesses, and communities. This demand-driven approach ensures that military service members, veterans and spouses are not simply trained but trained for success in real-world tech roles. 

Business Professional Skills for the Win with a Holistic Approach

Recognizing that technical proficiency is just one piece of the puzzle, Per Scholas dedicates 20% of classroom time to career coaching and the development of business professional skills. Beyond funding and training, TEKsystems supports our learners – through networking with our learners and alumni, career coaching, and participating in various campus events. We want to build upon the skills learned in their military experience and help them thrive and adapt in any workplace. With our work to support military service members, veterans and spouses, individuals in the military community can gain technical knowledge and soft skills, coupled with their incredible military experience, to position them for continued career success.

Transitioning to a new career can be challenging, and Per Scholas and TEKsystems acknowledge the need for comprehensive support. Per Scholas provides learner support services that include benefit navigation, financial coaching, and wellness support, ensuring that learners can persist through the training program. This holistic approach addresses not only the technical aspects but also the personal and financial challenges military service members, veterans and spouses may face during their career transition. 

Connecting Directly with Employers

One of the most distinctive features of Per Scholas’ training is our direct connection to employers. In the past year alone, over 850 companies hired Per Scholas graduates, with more than 1,000 hires through TEKsystems, demonstrating the high demand for the skills and credentials these military service members, veterans and spouses bring to the job market. This direct link to employers helps ensure that learners have a clear path to employment upon graduation. “I am honored to work with partners including TEKsystems that put hiring from the military community at the forefront in efforts to diversify the tech industry,” stated Per Scholas Director of Veteran Recruitment & Partnerships George Darby. “TEKsystems understands that hiring military service members, veterans and spouses is not only the right thing to do, but it’s also a great business decision. Partners that understand the unique skills and value this talent pool brings are ahead of the competition.”

TEKsystems: Committed to Creating Opportunities for Veterans

TEKsystems is a valuable partner in this endeavor. Having helped more than 20,000 military service members, veterans and spouses since 2013, they understand the distinctive skills within the military community and continue to make a real impact. As a Department of Defense-authorized SkillBridge employer, a program for service members to transition to a civilian career, TEKsystems leads the way for veterans looking to transition out of the military. Their partnership with Per Scholas demonstrates a shared commitment to diversity and inclusivity in the tech industry, recognizing the immense potential and unique qualities of veterans and their spouses.

As military service members, veterans and spouses transition to civilian life, there’s no doubt they face challenges in finding their next opportunity and meaningful employment. However, Per Scholas and TEKsystems, through their collaborative efforts, are paving the way for military service members, veterans and spouses to thrive in the tech industry. Their commitment to inclusivity and empowerment reflects a changing landscape in the tech industry that celebrates the unparalleled value the military community can bring. With a blend of purpose, partnership, and perseverance, the path to success in the tech industry for our military heroes and their spouses is clearer than ever before.

Per Scholas, in collaboration with the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island, Amazon, and local officials, has officially launched our satellite campus at the Gerard Carter Center in Stapleton, Staten Island. The first class on-site, an IT Support course, kicked off on October 23rd, and a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on November 2nd. 

Read about the launch here!

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) awarded Per Scholas $1.5 million in funding through the Cyber Workforce Development and Training for Underserved Communities program. This funding opportunity seeks to increase the number of skilled cybersecurity individuals within underserved communities. It will build on Per Scholas’ capacity to deliver quality training and apprenticeship programs and connect learners with employment opportunities, creating a more diverse cybersecurity workforce across America.

Read more here.

We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month annually from September 15 – October 15, but diversifying the tech landscape to include more Hispanic and Latinx perspectives and presence is something Per Scholas keeps in mind throughout the year. With partners, including TEKsystems, we have connected nearly 1,500 Hispanic learners with technology careers in a field in which they are typically not represented. 

At Per Scholas, Hispanic technologists comprise 17% of our learners, while they make up just 15% of the technology workforce. This is a statistic we are constantly working to increase as part of our mission to create economic equity and representative diversity in the tech workforce. Achieving such a vision requires strong collaboration with partners who are similarly committed to our goal. 

TEKsystems has been our partner for nearly a decade and is committed to nurturing an inclusive workplace culture and welcoming diversity in technology from the inside out. TEKsystems recognizes the contributions of Hispanics in the workforce and celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month through powerful stories from their team. Leaders from TEKsystems’ Employee Network, AdelanTEK, reflected on how fostering an inclusive culture in the workplace inspires authenticity and results in individual success, both personally and professionally. Additionally, TEKsystems Recruiter Lead Magdaleny Soberanis-Depaz shared how her upbringing as a Latina has shaped her career and the impact diversity has in the workplace “Growing up in a multicultural community and learning from people of all walks of life has given me a perspective that is an advantage over most,” Magdeleny reflected. “Diversity is truly a strength. Because I am a person of color and in a leadership position, I’m able to bring different perspectives, opinions, and ideas around problem-solving and solutions, ultimately creating a bigger impact on my team and peers within the office, as well as outside of the office.” 

Per Scholas and TEKsystems share the same mission and belief that diversifying the tech workforce will bring innovation and powerful insight to the industry. These perspectives are shared by Per Scholas President and CEO Plinio Ayala, who is passionate about working with companies whose mission aligns with Per Scholas. Plinio grew up in a close-knit neighborhood in the South Bronx that contained many diverse Hispanic communities, including Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, Dominicans, Hondurans, and more. Thus, Per Scholas’s mission is important to him and his Hispanic heritage on a personal level. Plinio’s story resonates internally at Per Scholas and translates to the learners we interact with as we train them for various technology roles.  

“Being Hispanic and leading an organization rooted in diversity and inclusion, I’m inspired by my colleagues who feel like they can be their authentic selves and bring their culture and identity into their work,” Plinio reflects. “Having different backgrounds and using our unique experiences to create new and innovative ideas in tech gives me hope for the future of technology. We have come so far at Per Scholas to bring more Hispanics into technology, but there is still room for growth. I hope to hear of more C-suite leaders of Hispanic background in tech in the next year, which is possible with training and partnering with companies, including TEKsystems, who share the same mission.” 

We’re proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and elevate Latinx voices and experiences throughout the year, especially with partners, including TEKsystems, that create an inclusive workplace culture and welcome diversity in technology from the inside out.

Per Scholas Seattle Establishes Advisory Board

Leaders from Technology Contribute to Transform America’s

Tech Workforce in the Pacific Northwest.

Per Scholas Seattle today announces the establishment of its inaugural Advisory Board. Leaders from technology will contribute their time and talent to supporting Per Scholas Seattle and its mission to transform America’s technology workforce through rigorous tech skills training.

Inaugural Per Scholas Seattle Advisory Board Members include:

• Ashley Russell, Global Head of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Amazon
• DeiMarlon Scisney, Founder/CEO, HOP
• Kevin Wang, Founder, Mentors in Tech

“The establishment of our Advisory Board is a pivotal milestone for Per Scholas Seattle. Having the leadership and talent exemplified by this board aligned with our mission gives me a great deal of confidence that we will further our impact in the Puget Sound region as we continue our work of connecting skilled talent to careers in tech,” stated Per Scholas Seattle Managing Director Brian McRae.

Since opening in 2021, more than 200 learners have graduated from Per Scholas Seattle and have gone on to employment in tech roles at a variety of companies across the city – from large financial service institutions to small startups. 

Per Scholas Seattle is grateful for Founder’s Circle partners TEKsystems as well as generous support from Comcast, the Norcliffe Foundation, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation.  

Currently, Per Scholas Seattle offers a variety of tech training courses including Software Engineering, IT Support, and more. To learn more, please visit www.PerScholas.org/seattle.

Per Scholas was featured on the website of our partner, Stand Together Foundation, a philanthropic community that partners with community-based organizations, nationwide, to help tackle some of our country’s biggest issues.

The article described Per Scholas’ commitment and innovative approach to our mission: empowering thousands of individuals, who are often under-represented in the tech job market, to pursue fulfilling careers through a tuition-free training model, and to ensure that those learners secure meaningful and well-paying jobs after they complete our program.

Read the full article here.

Per Scholas was featured in Forbes magazine, highlighting our organization’s long-standing partnership with Barclays, and the ways in which this partnership serves to help our learners develop key skills and unlock employment opportunities, including in roles at Barclays.

Charles Koch Foundation’s Executive Director Ryan Stowers interviewed Mark Thain, Americas Head of Citizenship at Barclays, regarding Barclays’ partnership with Per Scholas and the large-scale impact it has created.

Read the full article here!

Pioneering Cybersecurity Diversity with Per Scholas Diverse by Design

With Cybersecurity Awareness Month coming to a close, there’s no better time to discuss the vital need for diversifying the cybersecurity workforce, the potential consequences for technology industry leaders not addressing this issue, and the multifaceted approach that Per Scholas is adopting to break down barriers for underrepresented talent. At Per Scholas, we’re providing tech talent solutions with tailored training for organizations and upskilling opportunities for technologists. 

Cybersecurity Demands Innovation & Diversity

In the ever-evolving realm of the technology industry, the role of cybersecurity as a guardian of our digital assets and infrastructure cannot be overstated. However, we face a challenge that has become too familiar – the absence of diversity within the cybersecurity workforce. An article from Forbes states, ” The International Consortium of Minority Cybersecurity Professionals (ICMCP) points out women are barely 14% of the information security ranks, while women make up 51% of the U.S. population. The U.S. Labor Department says African Americans make up a scant 3% of information security analysts in the U.S. today.” 

Technology requires innovation. Without technology, we would suddenly find ourselves in a state of crisis because our quality of life relies heavily on it – our days start with technology literally at our fingertips. Diverse workforces lead to better innovation that stands as the cornerstone keeping organizations competitive, forward-thinking problem solvers. Cybersecurity, a critical component of technology, should be no exception to diversity. The lack of diversity, particularly concerning gender and ethnicity within the cybersecurity workforce, poses a challenge to innovation.

Diversity brings a host of benefits. It ushers in fresh perspectives and insights that are vital for comprehensive risk assessment, robust security strategies, and responses to emerging threats. In a continuously evolving cybersecurity environment, diverse teams possess the adaptability and expertise required to tackle these challenges adeptly. Diverse cybersecurity teams are specially positioned to detect and address biases in security systems and algorithms, ensuring the integrity and fairness of our cybersecurity measures. Within the technology sector, the demand for cybersecurity professionals has grown exponentially. Organizations must broaden recruitment efforts to encompass underrepresented groups, enabling the industry to tackle this scarcity and foster economic growth and innovation. This strategic shift also empowers organizations with the invaluable opportunity to tap into the potential of individuals who are traditionally overlooked.

Paving the Way for Diverse Cybersecurity Technologists

At Per Scholas, we understand that underrepresented talent often encounter barriers to entry into the cybersecurity field, and we have taken proactive measures to combat these challenges. For more than 25 years, Per Scholas has been unlocking potential for individuals, communities, and employers through rigorous training for careers in tech, including cybersecurity.

We offer free technology workforce development programs, removing the financial constraints that many talented individuals from underrepresented groups face, and actively facilitate connections, mentorships, and networking opportunities to help participants bridge the gap in professional networks, a crucial element in securing employment. 

Per Scholas Diverse by Design specifically promotes a culture of inclusivity and actively combats unconscious biases within the tech sector by championing diversity and inclusion as part of our core values. Per Scholas Enterprise Solutions also recognizes the significance of upskilling existing talent and providing tailored training for organizations and offers customized training solutions to equip organizations with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the evolving threat landscape effectively with partner organizations committed to building a diverse workforce. 

Advancing Equity to Increase Opportunities in Cybersecurity

Now is the time to diversify the technology industry, where innovation and security are pivotal to success, and the need for diversity in the cybersecurity workforce is not up for debate. As technology industry leaders, we bear a unique responsibility to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion opportunities within our ranks. Per Scholas is partnering with CGI, a Global IT and business consulting firm, to address this challenge and provide sustainable solutions. We have curated a customized invite-only event along with CGI dedicated to diversity in the cybersecurity industry entitled “Advancing Equity to Increase Opportunities in Cybersecurity.” This event will bring awareness to the challenges of starting a career in cybersecurity and how to develop strategies to increase access and representation.  

Having reliable access to WiFi, computers, and other resources is critical to success in technology training courses like ours. For more than 25 years, Per Scholas has been providing opportunities for individuals to launch thriving tech careers with our tuition-free tech training. We have found new ways to increase workforce equity for our learners and have given them the materials needed to succeed in their training; however, there is still room for improvement in addressing accessibility. The good news is that there are programs available for learners to get access to the Internet, transportation, and computers and laptops in order to complete our training and launch their tech careers.

Resources such as the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) assist those eligible with obtaining Broadband Internet access nationwide and are available to our learners as they embark on the college admissions process and Per Scholas training. The direct benefit of this program is that it’s helping to bridge the gap between opportunity and accessibility – as it should not be obstructed by lack of resources. This program is further bolstered by the work of one of our partners, Comcast, to close the digital divide.

In the first six months of 2023 alone, we’ve discovered that nearly 100 of our enrolled learners needed help with getting Internet access. Given this data, we can only imagine how many more applicants have been impacted due to a lack of Internet access including those applying to Per Scholas training. With the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program, potential learners can acquire the resources needed to launch a thriving career in tech.

The benefit program, ACP, provides up to $30 per month or $75 in Tribal areas toward Internet service. When combined with Comcast’s Internet Essentials or Internet Essentials+ service tiers, it makes home broadband effectively free.

A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household has received a Pell Grant, participates in Federal Assistance programs like SNAP or Medicaid, or meets the eligibility criteria for the Internet provider’s existing low-income Internet program.

To learn more and how to apply, visit the federal government’s website or contact an Internet service provider in your area.

Comcast NBCUniversal has been a partner of Per Scholas since 2021 and invested in Per Scholas to help individuals build the skills they need for successful careers in technology.

Through this partnership, Per Scholas will prepare more than 10,000 diverse adults for careers in tech across at least 15 Comcast markets over the next three years. Comcast is also providing Internet access for individuals who need connectivity, providing a way for learners to use our training remotely and for potential learners to apply to our program.

Per Scholas doesn’t want accessibility to stop learners or potential learners from launching their tech careers. The good news is now there are programs and initiatives that will increase accessibility for all learners, thus increasing opportunities for them in the tech sector as well.

To learn more about courses offered at a Per Scholas campus near you, click here.

Learn more about the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program here.