Per Scholas was excited and honored to welcome Daniel West, Vice President of Social Impact at BlackRock as the keynote speaker at our last Per Scholas New York graduation of 2023. The ceremony celebrated 33 graduates of a Cybersecurity cohort co-hosted with our satellite partner, Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation. 

BlackRock has partnered with Per Scholas since 2018 to create paths to financial security by providing individuals often excluded from tech careers with skills training and access to high-growth opportunities in the tech sector. This partnership has been pivotal in many Per Scholas initiatives, including our scale to remote training during the Covid pandemic, building and expanding our training capacity and options, the launch of our newest campus in Houston, and more.

In his commencement address, Mr. West celebrated the incredible achievements, determination, hard work, and limitless future potential of each graduate, as well as the foundation that had been set within each of them for a lifetime of continuous learning. 

“This is a momentous occasion, not just for each of you individually, but for the communities you come from, and for the transformative power of education in the pursuit of a brighter future,” West said. “Your unique perspectives, informed by the tapestry of your individual stories, will contribute to innovative solutions, and foster more inclusive workplaces…You have the potential to shape the future, not only for yourselves but for those who will follow in your footsteps. Armed with your education and the foundation laid at Per Scholas, I have no doubt that each of you will indeed change the world.”

Per Scholas was featured in an article published with Fast Company, in which Lisa Gevelber, founder of Google’s certificates program, discussed the ways in which skills-based training can open up opportunities. 

For years, many tech industry leaders have complained about their inability to find workers with the skills they need. Google’s certificate program has been an excellent solution, offering prospective technologists a rapid, low-cost way to gain the specific skills needed to take on roles within the tech industry. 

Google’s career certificate program has now been integrated into the teaching at a number of colleges and school systems, as well as into community-based nonprofits, including Per Scholas, who do cohort based programs and provide coaching along the way for learners earning certificates. Per Scholas has partnered with Google since 2012, and we offer Google IT Support Professional Certificates earn-able through our IT Support training program, which are also available for Per Scholas alumni for up to three years post-graduation.

Read the full article here!

Per Scholas Alum and Director of Business Solutions, Wayne Wilson, recently spoke with CIO about how Per Scholas’ rigorous training sets learners up for ultimate success in the technology industry. Our tuition-free model equips learners with important skill sets and professional development training through a fast-tracked program to get them into the job market as soon as possible – all without incurring years of college debt. Having gone through the rigorous enrollment and training process, Per Scholas learners emerge as top tier talent that are armed with both the practical skill sets and professional development needed to thrive in a career in tech.

After training is complete, Per Scholas alumni work closely with our Business Solutions Team, which strives to make meaningful pairings between alumni and hiring businesses. Per Scholas collaborates with partners and other employers to identify job openings that align with training efforts, and connect them with learners who have completed relevant training. Alumni also have access to internal resources that help them find and navigate a new career.

Finally, in our ongoing mission to promote DEIB in the tech industry, Per Scholas works closely with organizations to break down misconceptions and stereotypes around traditional hiring structures, and encourage skills-based hiring.

CIO also interviewed Marie Cari, a first-generation immigrant from Albania and Per Scholas Software Engineering graduate. Marie now works as a Software Engineer at Bank of America, and is grateful for her experience at Per Scholas in helping her expedite the learning process without incurring debt. “I had compared going to Per Scholas to staying in college and going the traditional route,” Marie told CIO. “However, Per Scholas was able to educate me and get me ready for the corporate world in every aspect within months. I didn’t have to go into college debt like my friends did or wait years in order to get the career I wanted,” she reflected.Read more on Wayne’s reflections about our training and Marie’s interview here!

We are excited to announce that Per Scholas Greater Boston has been selected as the recipient of a $1 million grant from the Commonwealth Corporation of Massachusetts! Commonwealth Corporation is a community-based organization that works to promote workforce equity in Massachusetts by “delivering innovative and collaborative professional development solutions that help diverse communities and employers succeed.” Like Per Scholas, Commonwealth Corporation believes that opportunity for meaningful employment can lead to upward mobility for all.

In early November, the Healey-Driscoll Administration of Massachusetts announced nearly $6.4 million in Senator Kenneth J. Donnelly Workforce Success Grants to seven organizations statewide. The grants were funded through the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund (WCTF) and distributed by the Commonwealth Corporation, and the aim is to increase access to well-paying jobs for Massachusetts residents facing employment barriers, scale effective career pathway programs, and enhance worker skill and productivity. 

Per Scholas was one of 7 Massachusetts-based initiatives selected for their work in “developing and implementing employer-responsive programs to place participants into unsubsidized employment in targeted occupations and create opportunities for underemployed and unemployed individuals to access high-quality, in-demand training programs.”

The grants were presented at Open Sky Community Services, Inc., another grant recipient, in an event that was attended by Per Scholas’ Site Director Tyrone Ramnath and Director of Business Solutions Bernadette Deleon-Rees. The funding will be instrumental in helping Per Scholas expand its reach in the Greater Boston area, covering the resources needed to train even more learners in the coming year.

Read more about the grant awarded here!

Per Schoals Chief Enterprise Solutions Officer Damien Howard wrote his second piece for Forbes Councils, an invitation-only, professional organization where top CEOs and entrepreneurs are supported through connections, visibility, and growth. 

In Damien’s newest article, he cautions how the AI revolution can disrupt the workplace without restrictions. AI can do a lot of things, but it cannot replace human consciousness. Damien offers solutions on the best ways to work with AI. One of his solutions is instead of allowing AI to displace jobs, employers should offer skill training programs employees can take to acquire new skills that will be in demand in the AI-driven economy. 

Read the rest of Damien’s ideas on building a more equitable AI workforce here!

Earlier in November, Per Scholas received a $1 million grant from JPMorgan Chase to help expand apprenticeship opportunities for learners and scale programs for in-demand occupations ahead of National Apprenticeship Week.

We are one of four organizations to receive the philanthropic commitment totaling $3.5 million, and as a recipient, Per Scholas participated in a virtual panel discussion, “The Opportunity to Expand Apprenticeships – A Field + Funder Conversation,” on Thursday, November 16.

Per Scholas Chief of Staff Tamara Johnson joined Workforce Matters, JPMorgan Chase, Apprenticeships for America, and partners from Apprenti and New America for the event. The panelists discussed the policies and systems important to supporting the learn and earn ecosystem; promising practices that advance equitable access to and outcomes from apprenticeship programs; and how funder investments might help further expand apprenticeship opportunities.

OnePoll conducted a random double-opt-in survey of 650 C-suite executives, 100 hiring managers, and 1,500 office workers, commissioned by Per Scholas. This is the first time Per Scholas has commissioned a survey of this magnitude. This survey revealed the extent to which every role will require a level of tech knowledge in the next 10 years.

Results showed 98% of C-suite executives feel tech skills are likely to be essential across every work sector in the next 10 years — with three-quarters of employees (75%) acutely aware that tech knowledge will be a must-have for them.

And while we may have a decade until the tech skills necessity infiltrates previously non-technological working roles, the data showed a majority of workers aren’t waiting to be caught cold — 57% are currently upskilling (acquiring new knowledge or competencies) either through their employer or individual means.

Download the full report here. 

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!