Per Scholas is proud to support the reintroduction of the Better Jobs Through Evidence and Innovation Act, legislation that would expand federal investment in workforce development programs with a proven track record of helping workers access quality careers.

Introduced by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), the legislation would establish a Workforce Development Innovation Fund at the U.S. Department of Labor to support evidence-based employment and training programs, evaluate emerging strategies, and scale approaches that improve outcomes for workers and employers.

As the economy continues to evolve and demand for skilled talent grows, investments in effective workforce solutions are critical to expanding access to economic mobility.

“America has programs that are proven to help people build sustainable careers, and we need investments that allow these programs to reach more learners,” said Plinio Ayala, CEO of Per Scholas. “By supporting evidence-based workforce development, this legislation can help organizations like Per Scholas expand access to training, connect employers with skilled talent, and create more pathways to economic mobility.”

For more than 30 years, Per Scholas has partnered with employers and communities to prepare individuals for technology careers through no-cost technical training, professional development, and career support. Continued investment in proven workforce models will help more learners access opportunities while strengthening the talent pipeline employers need.

Learn more about the Better Jobs Through Evidence and Innovation Act: https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2026/07/22/bennet-blunt-rochester-reintroduce-bill-to-connect-workers-with-higher-wages/

Research shows that embedding AI career coaching into workforce training can improve learner engagement and certification outcomes.

For 30 years, Per Scholas has prepared learners for technology careers through technical training, professional development, and personalized career coaching. As AI transforms the future of work, we’re exploring how it can strengthen the human support that has always been central to our model.

That’s why Per Scholas partnered with CareerVillage to pilot ‘Coach’, an AI-powered career-coaching platform that helps learners build confidence, strengthen career readiness, and navigate their job searches. The findings offer promising evidence that thoughtfully implemented AI can improve learner outcomes while giving career coaches more time to focus on individualized support.

Rather than offering AI as an optional resource, Per Scholas and CareerVillage tested whether embedding Coach directly into the curriculum would improve results. Across two pilots, involving 300+ learners, the organizations compared a flexible implementation with one that integrated AI coaching into weekly professional development activities from the start of training.

The structured approach delivered stronger outcomes:

• 92% learner adoption
• 89% certification attainment among cybersecurity learners

The pilot found that many learners felt more comfortable asking career-related questions of an AI coach, creating another avenue for building confidence while continuing to work with Per Scholas instructors and career coaches. Facilitators also reported that integrating ‘Coach’ into the curriculum reduced preparation time and enhanced classroom activities.

These findings reinforce Per Scholas’ broader AI strategy: using technology to amplify human support rather than replace it. Career coaches remain central to helping learners navigate career decisions and employer connections, while AI provides personalized guidance between coaching sessions.

While additional research is needed to understand long-term employment outcomes, the pilot suggests that successful AI adoption depends as much on implementation as the technology itself. By embedding AI into existing curriculum and partnering closely with instructors, workforce organizations can create more engaging learning experiences and stronger outcomes for learners.

As Per Scholas continues investing in AI-powered learning experiences, partnerships like this help ensure innovation remains focused on what matters most: expanding opportunity and improving learner success.

Read the White Paper: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/65cd46025ab807342db7d011/t/6a6cd431328a34510c0b1463/1785517105442/perscholas-coach-pilot-results.pdf

NEW YORK, NY — July 26, 2026 — Per Scholas has appointed Lowell Robinson and Fredric Cibelli to its Board of Directors. The additions bring decades of expertise in technology transformation, corporate governance, financial leadership, and digital innovation as the organization continues expanding access to high-quality technology training and advancing economic mobility nationwide.

Robinson is a seasoned executive and board leader with more than 30 years of experience spanning financial services, technology, media, retail, and healthcare. Throughout his career, he has held senior leadership roles including Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at multiple public companies, while also serving on more than eight public company boards. His expertise in governance, financial strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and organizational growth will support Per Scholas as it scales its impact.

Cibelli is a Principal at EY, where he leads the Enterprise Architecture and Platforms practice for Financial Services. With nearly two decades of experience, he has helped global organizations modernize technology infrastructure, accelerate cloud and AI adoption, and implement digital transformation strategies. Prior to joining EY, Cibelli served as a Captain in the United States Air Force, leading cybersecurity and information warfare organizations supporting mission-critical operations.

Per Scholas leadership emphasized that Robinson and Cibelli’s expertise will help guide the organization’s continued growth as it works toward its goal of training and upskilling 25,000 technologists annually by 2030.

Robinson shared that he was inspired by Per Scholas’ ability to connect individuals to meaningful careers in technology while helping employers meet critical talent needs. Cibelli highlighted the organization’s ability to deliver measurable economic mobility at scale and its important role in ensuring AI and digital transformation expand opportunity for more individuals.

Per Scholas is excited to welcome Lowell and Fredric as its newest board members. 

[Location] initiatives

Per Scholas NY – Tech Help Desk

Developing a Post-Pandemic Recovery Plan for New York City

Per Scholas is expanding access to high-growth careers on Chicago’s South Side through a new partnership with Xchange Chicago, bringing no-cost, high-quality tech training directly into the communities where opportunity is growing.

Announced during TechChicago Week, the partnership launches a new Per Scholas satellite training site at the Gary Comer Youth Center in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood. The collaboration combines Per Scholas’ proven workforce development model with Xchange Chicago’s community-based infrastructure and employer partnerships to create new pathways into technology careers.

The new site welcomed its first cohort of learners this summer, who are building cybersecurity skills through Per Scholas’ AI-enhanced curriculum. A second cohort is expected to launch later this year. Through the partnership, Per Scholas provides its technical curriculum, instructors, equipment, and career-preparation support, while Xchange Chicago provides the physical training space and a community-centered learning environment.

A core strength of the partnership is its employer-driven approach. Working alongside SDI Presence, a founding employer partner of Xchange Chicago, Per Scholas is aligning training with workforce needs and creating direct pathways to employment.

Xchange Chicago was created by the Comer Science & Education Foundation, P33, and SDI Presence to connect Chicago residents to technology careers through technical training, employer partnerships, and an onshore IT delivery center. The partnership reflects a broader commitment to community-based workforce development by bringing training, employer connections, and career support together in the neighborhoods where learners live.

Through partnerships like its collaboration with Xchange Chicago, Per Scholas continues to expand its community-based training model and ensure more learners can access the skills and opportunities needed to thrive in the technology economy.

Read the Press Release Here

BRONX, NY — July 13, 2026 — Per Scholas, a national workforce accelerator leading in no-cost technology training, has secured a multi-year grant commitment from the Equinix Foundation to launch and expand training for high-demand Critical Facilities and data center careers. The investment will support the expansion of Per Scholas’ new Critical Facilities Training Program, currently running in Atlanta and planning to scale across four other key U.S. markets where hiring demand is outpacing supply, including Dallas, TX, Northern Virginia, and Columbus, OH, and one additional market to be announced. This expansion reinforces Per Scholas’ role as a premier workforce accelerator preparing individuals from underrepresented backgrounds for high-wage careers in the digital economy.

As AI accelerates across industries, the constraint on growth is shifting from software development to the talent needed to build and operate the physical infrastructure that powers it. Data centers, cloud networks, and advanced energy systems now form the backbone of the AI economy, and demand for skilled Critical Facilities technicians has surged accordingly. The Uptime Institute estimates the data center industry is currently facing a shortage of more than 2 million workers globally.

“AI is fundamentally reshaping the labor market, and the infrastructure behind it has become one of the most essential and fastest-growing career pathways in the country,” said Caitlyn Brazill, Per Scholas President. “This partnership ensures that local residents are not only included in the AI economy, but are trained and positioned to power it.”

The Per Scholas and Equinix Foundation collaboration directly addresses the workforce gap by aligning training with real-world employer needs. The new Critical Facilities curriculum is designed in close partnership with industry employers and prepares learners for careers maintaining the power, cooling, and building systems that keep data centers running—including roles such as Critical Facilities Engineer, Facilities Engineer and Building Systems Technician.

“The growth of the digital economy is creating enormous economic opportunity, but too often the communities closest to that growth are not sharing fully in its benefits,” said Paige Rodgers, Director, Equinix Foundation and Equinix Community Impact. “Our collaboration with Per Scholas is about changing that by creating pathways into high-demand careers in digital infrastructure and helping more people have access to the life changing opportunities this industry creates. We invite other employers to join us in building a stronger, more inclusive talent pipeline so that the benefits of digital growth are shared more broadly across the communities we serve.”

The Critical Facilities Program moves beyond traditional IT training to focus on the physical systems that ensure continuous uptime for mission-critical environments. Learners develop hands-on expertise in power, cooling, and monitoring systems, preparing them for industry-recognized certifications. Training is delivered through a highly immersive, lab-based model that integrates AR/VR learning tools and specialized equipment, mirroring real-world data center environments. In total, the program is expected to train more than 300 learners in a 2-year period, with an anticipated 85%+ graduation rate within one year of completion. 

Designed with significant employer input, including the Equinix Global Operations Academy team, the program emphasizes operational resilience, troubleshooting under pressure, and execution in high-stakes technical environments.

The Equinix Foundation’s investment serves as a catalytic funding anchor, enabling Per Scholas to expand specialized training infrastructure and secure advanced laboratory equipment required for the Critical Facilities curriculum. 

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 35,000 technologists in the most sought-after tech skills. On average, our learners earn 2.5x 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 the Equinix Foundation 

The Equinix Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Equinix, Inc., is dedicated to enabling a more accessible, sustainable, and interconnected digital future for everyone, everywhere. In collaboration with partners and fueled by the passion of employees, the Foundation drives digital inclusion through three key impact areas: access to digital infrastructure and connectivity, digital literacy and skill building, and technical career development for data center operations.

A recent feature in Mission to Margin explores a question facing colleges, workforce organizations, and employers alike: What does it truly mean to be career-aligned?

In this conversation, Per Scholas President Caitlyn Brazill argues that career alignment isn’t defined by employer advisory boards, new credentials, or internship programs, but is defined by outcomes. At Per Scholas, job attainment is the organization’s north star, shaping everything from curriculum design and employer partnerships to learner support and organizational decision-making.

The interview also examines several of the biggest forces reshaping workforce development today. Caitlyn discusses why outcome accountability is critical as Workforce Pell is implemented, why employer partnerships must be centered on real hiring demand, and how artificial intelligence is transforming the entry point into technology careers.

As AI changes traditional entry-level roles, Caitlyn emphasizes that the solution isn’t simply teaching people how to use AI. In the article, Caitlyn asks: If employers stop hiring people to do the entry-level tasks that AI agents can perform, where do workers learn and build human judgment? The workforce also needs new pathways that give learners opportunities to develop judgment, practical experience, and the professional skills that come from real work.

The conversation also challenges long-held assumptions about degrees and hiring, making the case that employers should increasingly focus on demonstrated skills, supervised practice, and measurable outcomes rather than credentials alone.

For more than 30 years, Per Scholas has measured success by one standard: helping learners launch careers that create lasting economic mobility. As the labor market continues to evolve, that focus on outcomes—and on building training around real employer demand—has never been more important. 

Read the full article here.

Per Scholas President Caitlyn Brazill was recently featured on WorkforceRx with Futuro Health CEO Van Ton-Quinlivan, where she shared insights on how workforce systems must evolve to meet the demands of an AI-driven economy and rapidly changing labor market.

In the conversation, Brazill discusses how AI is reshaping job requirements across industries and accelerating demand for applied, job-ready skills. She highlights how Per Scholas is responding by embedding AI literacy throughout its training programs, strengthening employer-aligned, hands-on learning models, and ensuring learners graduate with both technical and durable skills needed for long-term career success.

Brazill emphasizes that while AI is transforming how work is done, it cannot replace the need for strong workforce systems that connect training directly to employer demand. She points to the importance of structured, experiential learning environments that mirror real workplace conditions and prepare learners to apply skills immediately on the job.

The discussion also explores broader workforce challenges, including the need for stronger alignment between employers, training providers, and policymakers, as well as the growing importance of adaptability, problem-solving, and continuous learning in every role.

As AI continues to reshape the future of work, Brazill underscores that the organizations best positioned for success will be those that invest in skills-first systems designed for both speed and equity.

👉 Listen to the full WorkforceRx episode here: https://futurohealth.org/?post_type=podcast&p=10554

Plinio Ayala Receives SHIFT Legacy Award at CLOSE IT 2026 Summit

Per Scholas CEO Plinio Ayala has been recognized with the SHIFT Legacy Award at the CLOSE IT 2026 Summit, honoring more than three decades of leadership and impact across workforce development, economic mobility, and inclusive talent innovation.

Presented as part of the CLOSE IT 2026 Awards in Santa Fe, the SHIFT Legacy Award recognizes individuals whose work has helped shape the future of learning and work through long-term systems change, innovation, and sustained commitment to expanding opportunity.

For more than 35 years, Plinio has worked to create pathways to economic mobility for underserved communities. Since becoming CEO of Per Scholas in 2003, he has transformed the organization from a local nonprofit refurbishing computers into a nationally recognized workforce training organization serving learners across more than 20 cities nationwide.

Under his leadership, Per Scholas has trained more than 30,000 technologists, helping learners gain access to high-growth careers in technology through no-cost training, employer partnerships, and skills-based pathways to opportunity.

The award recognizes not only the scale of Per Scholas’ impact, but also Plinio’s broader influence on how employers, workforce organizations, and policymakers think about talent development and economic inclusion.

“I’m deeply honored to receive the SHIFT Legacy Award and proud that this recognition reflects the work of the entire Per Scholas community, our learners, staff, partners, and employers,” said Plinio Ayala, CEO of Per Scholas. “This award reinforces our belief that talent is everywhere, and that expanding access to opportunity can transform lives, strengthen our economy, and shape the future of work.” 

“Plinio has consistently challenged the workforce sector to think bigger about what is possible when talent is developed based on skills and potential,” said Tamara Johnson, COO of Per Scholas, who accepted the award on his behalf during the summit. “His leadership has developed  more equitable pathways into technology careers creating economic mobility for Per Scholas graduates and their communities, while also proving business value for employers .”

Throughout his career, Plinio has championed skills-first hiring, workforce innovation, and employer-aligned training models designed to meet evolving labor market needs. His work has also influenced broader conversations around workforce policy, short-term training pathways, and the future of economic opportunity in a rapidly changing economy.

Read more about the CLOSE IT 2026 Awards here.

The BlackRock Foundation continues to strengthen its national partnership with Per Scholas, a leading provider of no-cost technology training, advancing a shared commitment to expanding access to technology careers and building inclusive talent pipelines nationwide.

Since the partnership began in 2018, BlackRock and The BlackRock Foundation have granted $7.8 million nationally to support Per Scholas programs across Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, New York, Orlando, Seattle, and North Carolina. This Founder’s Circle partnership has helped scale training capacity, deepen employer connections, and expand access to high-growth technology careers for thousands of learners across the country.

In addition to financial investment, BlackRock employees have contributed through mentoring, curriculum engagement, and volunteer support, including participation in virtual software engineering roundtables and direct engagement with learners, helping align training with evolving employer needs across markets.

At scale, BlackRock’s cumulative investment has helped enable Per Scholas to train at least 5,600 learners for technology careers and is projected to generate more than $166 million in new annual earnings in low- and moderate-income communities nationwide.

That national commitment was reflected locally at Per Scholas North Carolina’s Unlocking Potential: A Celebration of People and Possibility event, where The BlackRock Foundation leaders joined staff, alumni, and employer partners to celebrate the impact of workforce development in the region. Their participation served as a visible proof point of how the national partnership is translating into community-level impact.

As part of the evening’s program, The BlackRock Foundation was recognized with the Opportunity Builder Award, honoring organizations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to expanding access to high-quality career pathways and investing in underserved talent.

“Being named an Opportunity Builder reflects what we aim to do every day at BlackRock and The BlackRock Foundation—expand access, invest in people, and help create pathways to economic opportunity,” said Marc H. Balizer, Managing Director, who accepted the award on behalf of The BlackRock Foundation. “Our partnership with Per Scholas shows what’s possible when employers and training organizations come together with a shared focus on impact and outcomes.”

Caitlyn Brazill, President of Per Scholas, underscored the depth and longevity of the partnership, “partners like The BlackRock Foundation are essential to everything we do,” said Brazill. “This partnership shows what it looks like when organizations not only invest in talent, but actively help build the bridges that connect learners to lasting careers.”

In North Carolina, The BlackRock Foundation’s $1 million investment is driving rural workforce development and economic recovery in communities impacted by job displacement, including Western North Carolina. The results speak for themselves. BlackRock’s support has helped more than 300 North Carolinians earn industry-recognized credentials and launch careers in cybersecurity, software engineering, and data analytics, with projected first-year wages totaling more than $9.6 million cumulatively for graduates supported through the partnership.

In western North Carolina, this investment has taken on even greater significance. When Hurricane Helene devastated the region, communities were forced to confront urgent questions about recovery, resilience, and opportunity. Because BlackRock’s investment was already rooted in expanding access to rural opportunity, it became a critical lever in the aftermath—helping rebuild pathways to economic mobility when they were needed most.

Together, The BlackRock Foundation and Per Scholas continue to demonstrate the power of aligning employer needs with accessible, skills-based training. From early investments in Atlanta and Boston to large-scale national expansion and targeted rural recovery efforts in North Carolina, the partnership reflects a sustained commitment to economic mobility and inclusive workforce development.

As both organizations continue to scale their work, the collaboration stands as a model for how employer partnerships translate into measurable opportunity—connecting talent to careers and strengthening communities across the United States.

Per Scholas Featured in Forbes Councils for Insights on Building AI Ready Talent Pipelines

NEW YORK, NY — May 2026 — Per Scholas’ EVP of Talent Solutions, Brittany Murrey, recently published ‘Can The Tech Talent Pipeline Keep Up With The Speed Of AI?’ in Forbes Councils, speaking on how organizations can build and sustain AI-ready talent pipelines in a rapidly evolving labor market. The article explores how employers can rethink traditional hiring strategies to meet the growing demand for AI-proficient talent.

Murrey highlights the growing gap between the speed of technological change and the limitations of traditional talent pipelines, particularly four-year degree programs. As the shelf life of technical skills continues to shrink, organizations that rely solely on conventional hiring approaches risk falling behind in an increasingly competitive landscape.

“Adaptability is the new competitive advantage,” Murrey writes in Forbes Councils. “The companies that are broadening where they look for talent and investing in their people will be the ones that keep up with the pace of AI.”

The article outlines practical strategies for employers, including investing in structured upskilling programs for existing employees, adopting skills-based hiring practices, and expanding recruitment efforts to include nontraditional talent pipelines such as certifications, community colleges, and workforce training programs.

The feature reinforces Per Scholas’ commitment to advancing workforce development and economic mobility by connecting skilled technologists to high-demand careers. Through rigorous technical training, professional development, and employer-aligned pathways, Per Scholas helps organizations build resilient teams while creating opportunities for individuals to succeed in the tech economy.

Per Scholas continues to demonstrate how skills-based training and upskilling can help close talent gaps and prepare the workforce for the future of AI.

👉 Read the full Forbes Councils article here.