We are honored to be featured in Cisco’s recent blog post, “Opening Doors to Cybersecurity Careers with Splunk and Per Scholas,” which highlights our collaborative efforts with Splunk to expand access to cybersecurity education and career opportunities.

The article underscores our joint mission to bridge the cybersecurity talent gap by providing rigorous, no-cost technology training to adult learners from low- to moderate-income households across the U.S. Through our partnership, we offer hands-on experience with industry-standard tools like Splunk, enabling learners to earn certifications such as the Splunk Core Certified User. This equips them with the skills needed to pursue careers as cybersecurity analysts, junior desktop technicians, and tech support engineers.

Our collaboration with Splunk began in 2018, focusing on delivering free software, training, and support to overlooked talent pools in New York City. In 2021, Splunk provided unrestricted grant funding to aid in our swift expansion, allowing us to reach more learners nationwide.

This feature by Cisco not only recognizes the impact of our partnership with Splunk but also emphasizes the importance of accessible cybersecurity education in today’s digital landscape. We remain committed to empowering individuals with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive in the tech industry.

Read the full feature here.

We’re proud to be featured in McKinsey & Company’s New at McKinsey blog, which highlights how our organization is leading the way in helping learners not only gain technical skills, but also master essential soft skills for career success. The article showcases the incredible impact of our work and how McKinsey’s support helped us enhance our training programs, making them even more effective and responsive to the needs of employers and learners alike.

Read the full feature here: Tech nonprofit excels at soft skills: How McKinsey helped Per Scholas deliver on its mission

Sage, the global leader in accounting, financial, HR, and payroll technology for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) is deepening its commitment to Atlanta, GA, through a multiyear commitment to support four local Atlanta nonprofits, including Per Scholas Atlanta, as part of its expanded community investment strategy. Through a three-year partnership with Sage Foundation, Per Scholas Atlanta will train 18 adult learners annually in high-demand fields like IT support, cybersecurity, and software engineering. This support builds on Sage’s existing engagement with Per Scholas and reflects the company’s dedication to advancing digital inclusion, workforce development, and economic mobility in Atlanta.

Sherri Sims, Managing Director of Per Scholas Atlanta said, “Sage has been a valued partner for many years, supporting our learners through mock interviews and field trips. This financial commitment further amplifies their impact—every dollar invested strengthens the workforce and delivers lasting economic growth for the Atlanta community.”

Read the Press Release.

We’re honored to be featured in a recent article highlighting an innovative pilot program designed to support workforce training alumni through text-based coaching. The initiative, led by Empower Work and funded by the Truist and GitLab Foundations, is exploring how real-time guidance can help graduates navigate career challenges and improve job retention.

As part of this partnership, Per Scholas is reinforcing our commitment to alumni success by investing in upskilling programs in high-demand fields like cloud computing, network management, and project management. This recognition underscores the importance of ongoing support for our graduates as they build thriving careers in tech.

We’re excited to be part of this groundbreaking initiative and look forward to seeing its impact on workforce training nationwide. Want to learn more? Read the full story to see how Per Scholas and other leading organizations are working together to create lasting career success for graduates!

Per Scholas North Carolina was featured on a news segment on “Positively Charlotte.” Per Scholas North Carolina Managing Director Michael Terrell joined alum Shana Franks on the program to discuss our no-cost training and recent $1 million grant from The BlackRock Foundation.

Watch the full segment here.

Per Scholas is honored to be featured in The New York Times article by Steve Lohr, which explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping the software engineering field and the role of workforce development programs in preparing talent for the future.

The article highlights how Per Scholas, through its no-cost technology training programs, is equipping individuals with in-demand skills needed to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving tech industry. As AI changes the nature of coding and software development, Per Scholas’s training ensures that aspiring technologists have the foundational knowledge and adaptability to succeed.

A key highlight of the article is the success story of Ismail FoFana, a Per Scholas graduate who leveraged the training and career support offered by the program to break into the tech industry. His journey is a testament to the power of high-quality, accessible education in creating life-changing opportunities and addressing the talent gap in the sector.

Per Scholas remains committed to our mission of advancing economic mobility by providing rigorous tech training, career development, and employer connections to our learners. As AI continues to reshape the workforce, our role in fostering a skilled pipeline of tech talent has never been more critical.

Read the full New York Times article here.

Per Scholas is thrilled to have been featured in the New York Times, celebrating our success in preparing underemployed and underrepresented individuals for cutting-edge tech careers.

For nearly three decades, Per Scholas has offered free, comprehensive training programs that have transformed lives and careers across the nation. From its humble beginnings in the South Bronx in 1995, Per Scholas has expanded to 24 cities and trained over 25,000 people, with 85% being people of color and 40% women. Our organization also works closely with tech employers to ensure that graduates possess in-demand skills upon graduation, and offers professional development training and job attainment support for learners. A rigorous analysis from MDRC  found that, by 2020, the economic benefits of the training – including increased wages and reduced dependence on social services – totaled an estimated 800% of the training costs.

Per Scholas’s commitment to providing free, high-quality training is made possible through donor support, with contributions directly funding various aspects of the program, from textbooks to comprehensive learning support. The New York Times Communities Fund has supported Per Scholas since 2023, helping to maintain our policy of never charging learners for any aspect of their training.

Read the full article here.

Per Scholas North Carolina has been featured in a recent WCNC Charlotte article, highlighting the impact of our free tech training programs in transforming lives and building stronger communities.

The article spotlighted Chris Ham, a graduate who turned his dream of working in cybersecurity into reality after completing our program. Chris described Per Scholas as a unique opportunity to advance his education without going into debt, and he’s now thriving in a role with Wells Fargo, an achievement he once thought beyond his reach.

Michael Terrell, our Senior Managing Director, highlighted how the program’s benefits extend beyond individuals, uplifting entire communities through better-paying jobs, financial independence, and economic growth.

We’re proud to see our work recognized and remain committed to empowering more individuals like Chris to succeed in the tech industry!

Per Scholas is excited to be celebrating Arianna Hernandez’s inspiring story, which was recently featured in The Muse. The article highlights Arianna’s incredible journey from overcoming personal and professional challenges as an immigrant to breaking into the tech industry with the help of the Per Scholas IT Support program. Her story is a testament to the power of determination, resilience, and the transformative impact that accessible education can have on someone’s life.

When Arianna arrived in the U.S. from Venezuela, she faced a daunting set of challenges: a new language, an unfamiliar culture, and the need to start her career over from scratch. Like many immigrants, she faced barriers that made it difficult to transition into a new field, especially one as competitive as tech. However, Arianna was determined to find a way forward. After holding several roles in logistics and customer service, she came across Per Scholas, which she describes as a turning point.

Our program provided Arianna with more than just technical skills. Through in-person classes, hands-on labs, and professional development support, she gained both the hard and soft skills needed to navigate a tech career. The program’s resources not only helped her pass industry-recognized certifications like the CompTIA A+, but also gave her the confidence to pursue opportunities she once thought were beyond her reach. Arianna’s success in securing a help desk analyst role with Republic Services just months after graduating is a powerful example of what is possible when individuals are given the tools and support to thrive.

Arianna’s story is particularly meaningful as it reflects the core mission of Per Scholas to create pathways into tech careers for individuals who might otherwise be overlooked due to systemic barriers. The Muse’s feature on Arianna celebrates her hard work and dedication while highlighting the importance of initiatives that create more opportunities for diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. By offering no-cost, high-quality tech training to individuals who are frequently excluded from these opportunities, whether because of financial limitations, lack of access, or biases, Per Scholas is working to build a more equitable workforce.

Stories like Arianna’s fuel our commitment to expand our programs and reach even more individuals across the country. We firmly believe that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. By investing in our learners’ growth and development, we are not only transforming their lives but also enriching the tech industry with diverse perspectives and skills.

Thank you to The Muse for spotlighting Arianna’s journey and the broader impact of our work at Per Scholas. We are proud to be a part of stories like hers and are excited to continue empowering talented individuals to achieve their career aspirations, no matter where they start.

We are excited to celebrate Keisha Mabry Haymore, our new Managing Director at Per Scholas St. Louis, who was recently featured in the St. Louis Business Journal for her leadership, dedication to workforce development, and commitment to empowering underserved communities. Since joining us in September, Keisha has brought an inspiring vision to Per Scholas’ mission of transforming lives through free, high-quality tech education.

The St. Louis Business Journal recognized Keisha’s impressive background and her journey of merging education, technology, and community. She has an extensive resume, from founding Heydays Creative and Collaborative Workspace to serving as an entrepreneur-in-residence with WePower, an organization focused on economic and social equity. Under her guidance, Per Scholas is poised to expand opportunities for local residents, providing essential tech skills that drive economic mobility in St. Louis.

In her short time here, Keisha has already made an impact, guiding Per Scholas in adapting to the evolving tech landscape. She views current changes in the industry, including AI advancements, as an opportunity to prepare St. Louis learners for high-demand, tech-enabled careers. In her own words, “Tech touches everything… Even though the landscape is shifting, we see it as an opportunity to prepare today’s workforce for tomorrow.”

We’re happy to have Keisha’s leadership highlighted by the St. Louis Business Journal and are confident she will continue making a difference. Her passion for education and community development is truly inspiring, and her recognition is well-deserved. With her guidance, we look forward to helping more St. Louis residents build thriving tech careers through Per Scholas.