Taranja Lewis and Anthony Khanthavout, alumni of Per Scholas Buffalo’s inaugural cohort, were interviewed by The Buffalo News earlier this month about their experience at Per Scholas. “Everything really, truly was in alignment for me to be here today,” said Lewis, who’s interest in Per Scholas was initially piqued by positive and commendatory comments about Per Scholas Buffalo’s Managing Director, Jeremy Besch, which Lewis found online. From there, Lewis looked into Per Scholas and was intrigued by all that the program had to offer at no cost to learners. Khanthavout, Per Scholas Buffalo’s First Valedictorian, discussed his success in the program, encouraged by his instructors.

Per Scholas Buffalo’s inaugural cohort was an IT Support course, offering the opportunity for learners to earn the Google IT Support Professional Certificate and the CompTIA A+ certification, and equips them with the knowledge to fill a wide range of entry-level technology jobs.

Watch the full interview here.

Per Scholas Houston proudly collaborated with Ion Houston to bring together industry leaders from J.P. Morgan, Microsoft, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and our President & CEO for the event, TECHnique: The Unique Perspectives of Leaders in the Tech Ecosystem.

This event offered a unique opportunity to explore the perspectives shaping today’s tech workforce. Panelists discussed challenges and opportunities in technology development, industry needs, tech training opportunities available within the Houston community, and valuable insights into how these organizations collaborate to strengthen the tech ecosystem.

Panelists included Plinio Ayala, Peter Beard, Rob Schapiro, and Karthigeyan Kuppan. Their expertise and the insights they shared tackled key challenges and opportunities shaping today’s tech workforce.

Per Scholas is thrilled to have graduated our first cohort of the Comcast Grows to Code program this December. The course was created and implemented by Comcast, a long-time partner of Per Scholas, and is now implemented in partnership with Per Scholas. Grows to Code transforms field technicians into software engineers through rigorous tech training by Per Scholas instructors. 

The 15-week, full-time course provides comprehensive technical training tailored to Comcast’s needs, offering employees a direct pathway to Software Engineer 1 positions. The curriculum covers essential programming skills including HTML, CSS, Java, and SQL. Participants receive intensive instruction from experienced Per Scholas teachers, culminating in practical projects like building microservice applications for real-world scenarios 

The program’s success lies in its unique approach to developing internal talent. Participants bring valuable frontline experience to their new roles, creating tools and solutions with deep understanding of customer needs. 

Brittany Walcott, a recent graduate of the Comcast-Per Scholas’s Grows to Code program’s first cohort, exemplifies the program’s transformative impact. After seven years as a Comcast retail sales representative and overcoming significant health challenges, Brittany embraced the opportunity to pursue her tech dreams through Grows to Code. Brittany thrived in the program,  and is now applying her newly acquired skills in a 6-month apprenticeship with Comcast where she is continuing her learning journey in tech. 

“This truly feels like a dream come true,” shares Brittany. “I’m just so grateful and blessed to have this opportunity to work with Comcast and become part of the Per Scholas family with such a great support system.”

Brittany is passionate about the power of education and opportunity, and encourages others to apply to programs like this to change their lives. “Per Scholas is touching communities that would not have these opportunities otherwise,” Brittany reflects. “They are truly life-changing, literally changing lives with just the power of knowledge.” 

Through Grows to Code, Per Scholas continues its mission of increasing diversity in tech while creating pathways to sustainable, high-paying careers.

Per Scholas marked a historic milestone by celebrating our 30th anniversary with the prestigious honor of ringing the Nasdaq Closing Bell on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. Per Scholas Chief Revenue Officer Caitlyn Brazill took the stage at Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square to commemorate this occasion, highlighting three decades of impact, transforming lives through no-cost tech training and advancing economic mobility across the nation. More than 50 members of the Per Scholas community were in attendance and onstage, including leadership, learners, and supporters, all gathered to commemorate our remarkable journey and continued commitment to launching thriving careers in the tech industry.

Ringing the closing bell at Nasdaq symbolizes Per Scholas’ enduring influence and recognition as a leader in workforce development. Over the past 30 years, we have empowered more than 30,000 learners with the skills and certifications needed to thrive in technology careers. As Per Scholas looks ahead to the future, this milestone reaffirms our dedication to innovation, inclusion, and expanding access to transformative career pathways.

“I am honored to ring the NASDAQ bell, representing the spirit of American innovation and the limitless potential of the American Dream,” Caitlyn said, surrounded by Per Scholas leaders, learners, and supporters, all united in their mission to drive economic mobility through tech.

Pam Kingpetcharat has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Finance for 2025 by Women We Admire. As the Chief Financial Officer of Per Scholas, Pam has played a pivotal role in the organization’s financial strategy and growth. Her leadership has been instrumental in expanding Per Scholas’ reach, enabling more individuals access to high-quality tech education and career opportunities. Per Scholas proudly celebrates Kingpetcharat’s achievements and her commitment to advancing careers in the tech industry.

Read the full feature here.

Per Scholas is proud to highlight MDRC’s recent brief, Navigating Job Search Challenges, which examines the job search experiences of our IT Support graduates. The study reaffirms the strong, lasting earnings impact of our tech training while also identifying challenges some graduates face in securing jobs aligned with their skills—particularly during a weaker labor market.

Through our partnership with MDRC, we are using these insights to refine our job search support, ensuring our alumni have the resources needed to succeed. Read the full brief here.

We are thrilled to announce that Per Scholas North Carolina has received a $1 million, two-year grant from The BlackRock Foundation to support workforce development and economic recovery efforts across the state. This transformative funding will help us expand our programs into western North Carolina, bridging the state’s tech workforce gap and providing job training in rural communities.

Through our partnership with Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, we will offer bootcamp-style IT training designed to equip individuals with the skills needed for remote, high-paying tech jobs. With North Carolina’s tech industry experiencing significant growth—an 18% increase in job postings over the past year—this initiative is critical in ensuring that rural communities have access to these emerging opportunities.

This support comes at a crucial time as Western North Carolina continues to recover from the impact of Hurricane Helene, which displaced thousands and led to widespread job loss. By offering accessible, no-cost training, we are helping residents transition into sustainable tech careers, fostering long-term economic stability in the region.

Over the next two years, this grant will allow us to provide 13-week IT training to 530 students, with a goal of reaching 2,000 North Carolinians by 2029. Our first IT Support cohort will begin on February 24, and applications are now open on our website.

Since launching in North Carolina in 2020, Per Scholas has remained committed to creating economic mobility through technology training. With the continued support of partners like The BlackRock Foundation, we are strengthening our impact and helping to shape the future of North Carolina’s workforce.

Indianapolis, December 3, 2024 – Per Scholas Indianapolis received a $75,000 grant from Glick Philanthropies to support economic mobility opportunities in the tech workforce. Glick Philanthropies – a family of charitable initiatives dedicated to building community and creating opportunity that empowers everyone to reach their full potential – recently announced more than $1.86 million in grants to 40 nonprofit organizations.

With this grant, Per Scholas Indianapolis will continue to support the community’s needs by providing tuition-free tech training to individuals traditionally underrepresented in tech, helping them launch high-growth careers, and partnering with employers to build sustainable and diverse talent pipelines.

Theron Wilson, Managing Director of Per Scholas Indianapolis stated, “We are so honored and grateful for this generous gift to help further our mission in the local and surrounding communities of Indianapolis. This grant will help power economic development by building a more diverse, skilled, and thriving technological workforce.”

Glick Philanthropies awards grants to tax-exempt organizations serving central Indiana and communities where Glick Company-managed properties are located. Grants support efforts to:

Build Community

• Provide affordable housing
• Support a healthy democracy
• Strengthen Jewish cultural life

Create Opportunity

• Expand equitable opportunities in the arts
• Close education achievement gaps
• Improve access to basic needs
• Increase economic mobility

“Nonprofit organizations are uniquely positioned to understand community members’ needs, partner with them to provide support, and connect them to essential resources,” said Marianne Glick, chair of the Glick Family Foundation. “At Glick Philanthropies, our role is to walk alongside these nonprofit organizations to build community and create opportunity. We hope these grants empower our nonprofit partners to reach more people with thoughtful, innovative programs.”

For more information about Per Scholas Indianapolis’s work, please visit https://perscholas.org/locations/indianapolis/. For more information about Glick Philanthropies, visit glickphilanthropies.org.

About Per Scholas

Per Scholas Indianapolis is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that prepares learners to enter the technology workforce through intensive training in both Technical Skills and Professional Development. In addition to skills training, Per Scholas provides individuals often excluded from tech careers access to employer networks. Per Scholas envisions a technology workforce as diverse as the customers it serves.

About Glick Philanthropies 

Glick Philanthropies is an Indianapolis-based family of charitable initiatives dedicated to building community and creating opportunity that empowers every person to reach their full potential. Glick Philanthropies includes Glick Family Foundation, Glick Housing Foundation, the Glick Fund at Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF), and the Glick Fund at Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis (JFGI). Since 1982, we have awarded $320 million to charitable causes in

Per Scholas Newark is thrilled to celebrate its 5th anniversary, marking five years of transformative impact on the lives of more than 1,000 individuals and underscoring the powerful partnership with Prudential Financial that made this milestone possible. Together, we’ve built a bridge to opportunity for countless Newark residents, providing no-cost tech training and access to sustainable career pathways in cybersecurity, software development, and Cloud AWS, IT support.

Per Scholas Newark wouldn’t be here today without Prudential’s commitment. When Per Scholas began considering Newark as a location, Prudential welcomed us with open arms, offering foundational investment and market insights that allowed us to expand to Newark and plant the seeds for growth. Their support didn’t stop with funding; Prudential’s ongoing involvement has paved the way for deep-rooted connections within the Newark community. Since day one, Prudential has continued as a key partner, helping Per Scholas Newark grow into one of the city’s premier tech talent developers.

Beyond financial support, Prudential has shown its commitment by actively hiring Per Scholas alumni. To date, more than 10 graduates have joined the Prudential team in roles across Engineering and IT infrastructure, a testament to their trust in Per Scholas-trained talent. By embracing Per Scholas alumni, Prudential helps create pathways for economic mobility and contributes to the diversity and inclusivity of Newark’s tech ecosystem.

Prudential employees have gone above and beyond, dedicating time, knowledge, and resources to Per Scholas Newark. Over 100 Prudential Financial employees have volunteered, providing invaluable mentorship to our learners. These volunteers have participated in more than two dozen events, from networking lunches, site visits, and guest lectures to resume reviews, panel discussions, and keynote speeches at graduations. This consistent engagement offers our learners real-world insights and strengthens their professional networks.

Prudential’s involvement with Per Scholas has been present for years. Back in February 2023, Per Scholas Newark hosted a hackathon in partnership with members of Prudential Financial’s Global Technology team and the Blueprint to Black Wealth initiative, presenting a unique opportunity for our mid-level career alumni to flex their skills in a competitive environment. Alumni were challenged to design an event-management app prototype, judged by Prudential executives. This experience not only showcased alumni’s technical abilities but also placed them in front of influential decision-makers at Prudential.

Additionally, volunteers from Prudential provided critical professional development support for our learners. Between September 2023 and August 2024, volunteers from Prudential participated in two learner-engagement events. In September 2023, a Prudential Executive from Human Resources was a guest speaker at a ceremony that celebrated the graduation of four cohorts in IT Support and Cybersecurity; and in October 2023, Prudential hosted 17 Cybersecurity Per Scholas learners at their Global Technology offices for a Talent Showcase and onsite visit.

On June 11, 2024, Per Scholas’ National Board and Leadership teams, and Newark’s Advisory Board, convened at our Newark campus for a national board meeting and to acknowledge the five-year anniversary. This all-day event included a panel discussion on Bridging the Tech Talent Gap: Employer Insights on Per Scholas Graduates and Hiring Trends, where a Prudential Executive from their Global Technology department was one of the panelists. 

Since opening in 2018, Per Scholas Newark has served over 1,000 learners, many from communities historically underserved in educational and employment opportunities. Our learner demographics reflect this diversity: 91% identify as people of color, 37% as women, and 42% are young adults aged 18-29. Furthermore, nearly half of our learners entered the program with only a high school diploma or equivalent, illustrating Per Scholas’ commitment to breaking down educational barriers.

Graduates from Per Scholas Newark are securing high-wage, sustainable employment opportunities, with an average initial placement wage of $26.43 per hour. Supported by Prudential’s investment, Per Scholas Newark has achieved an impressive 85% graduation rate, with 80% of graduates moving into regional tech roles earning an average of $21 per hour. Through our robust training, personalized career coaching, and Prudential’s involvement, learners are prepared to meet real-life challenges head-on, gaining skills in emotional intelligence, navigating imposter syndrome, and maintaining their mental and emotional well-being.

As Per Scholas Newark celebrates this milestone, we extend heartfelt gratitude to Prudential Financial for their belief in our mission and their steadfast partnership. In five short years, together, we have built a legacy of empowerment and economic advancement in Newark, providing countless individuals with the skills, confidence, and support they need to thrive. As we look to the future, Per Scholas Newark is committed to further expanding opportunities for tech talent in the region, uplifting our community, and continuing our transformative work alongside Prudential Financial.

Click here to see the upcoming training cohorts as we continue to unlock potential in Newark! 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that the city has created over 15,000 apprenticeship opportunities in less than three years, surpassing the halfway mark of its goal to create 30,000 apprenticeships by 2030. The initiative focuses on diversity and aims to expand opportunities beyond traditional construction and skilled trades into new industries like healthcare, technology, and public service.

Per Scholas is proud to be a part of this initiative. “Per Scholas is honored to partner with the NYC Talent Apprenticeship Accelerator to help drive this success by equipping New Yorkers across all five boroughs with the skills they need to thrive in tech careers,” Per Scholas President and CEO Plinio Ayala said.

Read more.