National Nonprofit to Train 4,000 Learners in Tech Skills for High-Growth Careers in 2022 

BRONX, N.Y. (January 28, 2022) — Per Scholas’ annual fundraising campaign, The Right Career Changes Everything, raised more than $4 million in 2021, in large part thanks to a generous match contribution from individuals at Jane Street as well as gifts from 1,200 supporters nationwide. A good job can pay the rent and put food on the table, but the right career charts the path to a thriving wage. Funds contributed to the campaign supported the launch of Per Scholas’ Career Access Fund. 

The national nonprofit is committed to train 4,000 learners nationwide in tech skills and connect them with high-growth careers in technology in the year ahead. Per Scholas’ Career Access Fund will provide learners with everything they need to participate and succeed in the organization’s tuition-free tech training, including laptops, WiFi, textbooks, learning kits, lab supplies, certification exam costs, learner support services, and more. 

“Per Scholas has never charged our learners a single dollar to participate in our life-changing tech training, and thanks to the generosity of individuals and partners alike, we never will,” said Plinio Ayala, President and CEO of Per Scholas. “We’re incredibly passionate about removing barriers, closing the equity gap, and increasing opportunity for thousands of future technologists. Technology remains one of our nation’s highest growth sectors, and by skilling dedicated individuals, together we can diversify our nation’s tech workforce.” 

In November 2021, Per Scholas was selected as a winner of the 2021 Holiday Impact Prize, presented by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and former New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, and supported by Focusing Philanthropy. 

To learn more about Per Scholas and to make a donation to advance economic equity, please visit www.PerScholas.org/Donate. 

 

About Per Scholas: Per Scholas is a national organization that has been advancing economic mobility for 25 years. Through rigorous training, professional development, and robust employer connections, we prepare individuals traditionally underrepresented in technology for high-growth careers in the industry. We partner with leading employers to build more diverse talent pools, directly connecting our graduates to new career opportunities at businesses ranging from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. With campuses in 17 cities coast to coast, Per Scholas has trained more than 15,000 individuals in tech skills, building bridges to careers in technology. To learn more, visit PerScholas.org.

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Leaders from Fortune 500, Technology, Financial Services, Contribute to DEIB Efforts 

 

New York, N.Y. – January 27, 2022 – Today, leading national tech training nonprofit advancing economic equity Per Scholas and ITSMF, the premier leadership development organization for IT professionals, announced the establishment of the Diverse by Design National Advisory Board.

Diverse by Design National Advisory Board Members include:

• Hans Brown, Global Head of Enterprise Innovation, CIO for Corporate, BNY Mellon
• Julie Dillman, Global Head of Operations, Chubb Group, Chubb
• Maria Medrano, Senior Director of Diversity Strategy, Narrative, and Partnerships, Google
• Elaine Norman, Vice President of Membership & External Affairs, ITSMF
• Janet Pope, Vice President of CSR for North America, Capgemini
• Tina Simmons, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Comcast Cable, Comcast NBCUniversal
• Franklin Reed, Executive Director of Inclusion and Diversity, TEKsystems
• Hank Spraggins, Director, Data Engineering & Analytics, Meta Reality Labs

The Diverse by Design National Advisory Board is led by inaugural chair Franklin Reed and Diverse by Design Co-Founders Kenneth Walker and Damien Howard, both senior leaders at Per Scholas.

“My passion for inclusion and diversity is cemented in the idea that we are better, go farther, and can accomplish significantly more to the degree that we are able to leverage our differences and bring our authentic selves to work every day,” said Franklin Reed, executive director of inclusion and diversity at TEKsystems, a global provider of technology, business and talent solutions. “Serving as the chair of the Diverse by Design advisory board aligns with that passion because Diverse by Design calls upon the technology industry to not simply talk about diverse representation but more importantly to act. I’m honored to work alongside a group of passionate, purposeful and bold board members as we work with organizations to challenge the status quo and help solve the challenges that we continue to face as a society.”

Diverse by Design Co-Founder Kenneth Walker reflected, “We are humbled to have such an incredible group of visionaries guide Diverse by Design’s essential work. Each leader brings unparalleled expertise in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in tech and their commitment and insight is tremendously valuable.”

To learn more about Diverse by Design, visit www.DiversebyDesign.org.

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About Diverse by Design

Diverse by Design, powered by Per Scholas and ITSMF, promotes solutions-driven conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion within tech, produces meaningful content that empowers c-suite leaders to make both valuable and socially impactful business decisions, and provides access to sophisticated customized training and talent sourcing solutions to meet companies’ talent demands while transforming the diversity landscape of their organizations. To learn more, visit diversebydesign.org.

About Per Scholas

Per Scholas is a national organization that has been advancing economic mobility for 25 years. Through rigorous training, professional development, and robust employer connections, we prepare individuals traditionally underrepresented in technology for high-growth careers in the industry. We partner with leading employers to build more diverse talent pools, directly connecting our graduates to new career opportunities at businesses ranging from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. With campuses in 17 major metropolitan areas, Per Scholas has trained more than 15,000 individuals in tech skills, building bridges to careers in technology. To learn more, visit perscholas.org.

About ITSMF

Since 1996, Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF) has been dedicated to increasing the representation of Black professionals at senior levels in technology, to impact organizational innovation and growth. We do this by developing and nurturing these dynamic leaders through enrichment of the mind, body, and soul. At its inception, only 3% of senior-level positions in the technology industry were held by Blacks. With a half-million new computer-related jobs expected by 2028, ITSMF is committed to increasing the number of qualified Black professionals for these positions. For more information about ITSMF, visit www.itsmfonline.org.

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Per Scholas Recognized Through
Nicholas Kristof’s 2021 Holiday Impact Prize

 

BRONX, N.Y. (November 24, 2021) — Per Scholas has been selected as a winner of the 2021 Holiday Impact Prize, presented by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and former New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, and supported by Focusing Philanthropy. Per Scholas is honored to be recognized alongside two other incredible organizations, Grand Prize Winner Seva Foundation, and the Panzi Foundation. 

“Per Scholas is an opportunity machine here in the United States. It breaks down barriers in the tech industry, one graduate at a time. It’s a tuition-free program that trains participants—mostly people of color— for the tech jobs of the future,” said Nicholas Kristof, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and former New York Times columnist. “Four out of five graduates land a job within a year of completing the programing, earning far higher incomes and transforming their futures while also supporting the economy. This is one of the best escalators toward social mobility in America.”

 

For 26 years, Per Scholas has worked to advance economic equity through rigorous training, professional development, and employer connections in IT careers for individuals who don’t otherwise have access to such opportunities. Donations received through the Holiday Impact Prize will support Per Scholas’s Career Access Fund, which provides learners with everything they need to participate in the tuition-free tech training including laptops, Wi-Fi, textbooks, learning kits, lab supplies, certification exam costs, learner support services, and more. Donations will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $2.0M, thanks to generous individuals from Jane Street. 

 

“For Per Scholas to be among this year’s Holiday Impact Prize honorees is transformational. With donors’ generosity, we’ll grow our Career Access Fund, which removes barriers and closes the equity gap for thousands of diverse, future technologists across America. Our learners will be provided with everything they need to participate in our tuition-free tech training, which in turn increases opportunity and further diversifies our nation’s technology workforce,” said Plinio Ayala, President and CEO of Per Scholas.

 

Since 2009, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and former New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof has written an annual “holiday gift guide” column to highlight little-known organizations working to make the world a better place. He began writing the gift guide to bridge a philanthropic gap: readers who wanted to help but didn’t know how, and heroic individuals and organizations who desperately needed resources but were off donors’ radar. 

 

The column has helped raise the profiles of organizations that work on the very issues he covers in his journalism—health, education, human rights and women’s rights, both domestically and abroad. This year’s $100,000 Grand Prize winner was Seva Foundation, a global non-profit eye care organization that has helped restore sight to more than 46 million people. Runners-up Per Scholas and Panzi Foundation were each awarded $25,000. The column also recognized two additional organizations—Reading Partners and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America—for those looking to make an impact through volunteering.

 

Focusing Philanthropy is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that finds and funds high-impact, scalable programs here and around the world—is providing the platform for this initiative by processing readers’ contributions, monitoring and reporting on results, and replenishing credit card transaction costs of donations made on KristofImpact.org so that 100 cents on the dollar will support the winning organizations.

 

More information about Nicholas Kristof’s Holiday Impact Prize, this year’s winners, and Focusing Philanthropy can be found at https://kristofimpact.gift/To-PerScholas.

 

About Per Scholas: Per Scholas is a national organization that has been advancing economic mobility for 25 years. Through rigorous training, professional development, and robust employer connections, we prepare individuals traditionally underrepresented in technology for high-growth careers in the industry. We partner with leading employers to build more diverse talent pools, directly connecting our graduates to new career opportunities at businesses ranging from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. With campuses in 17 cities, Per Scholas has trained more than 15,000 individuals in tech skills, building bridges to careers in technology. To learn more, visit PerScholas.org.

BRONX, N.Y. (November 21, 2021) – Today, leading national tech training nonprofit advancing economic equity Per Scholas welcomed two National Board Members. 

New National Per Scholas Board Members include:

• J.C. Lapierre, Chief Strategy and Communications Officer, PwC. J.C. is committed and passionate about helping people and organizations bring out the best in each other. At PwC, her areas of focus include building trust and delivering sustained outcomes through strategy consulting, workforce transformation, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.  

 

• Senta Taylor, Head of U.S. Credit Card Operations & Infrastructure, TD Bank. Senta has been recognized for her active role in supporting diversity and inclusion over the course of her career. She is a seasoned executive, with expertise leading operations and business transformation globally.  

“We are humbled that J.C. and Senta will contribute their passion, time, and talent by serving on Per Scholas’s National Board, aiding in our mission to diversify America’s technology workforce,” said Plinio Ayala, President & CEO of Per Scholas. “Our National Board Members are tireless in their commitment and effort to advance economic opportunity and close America’s opportunity gap.”

To learn more about Per Scholas’s work and our National Board, visit PerScholas.org. 

About Per Scholas

Per Scholas is a national organization that has been advancing economic mobility for 25 years. Through rigorous training, professional development, and robust employer connections, we prepare individuals traditionally underrepresented in technology for high-growth careers in the industry. We partner with leading employers to build more diverse talent pools, directly connecting our graduates to new career opportunities at businesses ranging from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. With campuses in 17 cities, Per Scholas has trained more than 15,000 individuals in tech skills, building bridges to careers in technology. To learn more, visit PerScholas.org.

New York, N.Y. (October 21, 2021) – This afternoon, leaders from government, corporate America, and New York-based nonprofits came together to celebrate an expanded effort to train more New Yorkers for thriving careers in technology. Through an innovative Satellite Model leveraging on-site streaming technology, potential new learners will be able to participate in a variety of training courses in their home boroughs of Queens and Staten Island, led by nationally-recognized Per Scholas from their Bronx and Brooklyn Campuses. 

 

Per Scholas anticipates training more than 1,000 New Yorkers in 2022 by leveraging this approach, effectively removing geography and transportation as barriers to individuals interested in pursuing technology training and transitioning into tech careers. Training courses will continue to be offered at Per Scholas’s Bronx and Brooklyn Campuses.

“The explosive growth of the innovation sector in Brooklyn is one of the overlooked stories of the past decade – and it was thanks in part to strategic investments and public-private partnerships that prepared a pipeline of talent for emerging industries. Now, as we rebuild from a devastating pandemic, we must double down on these investments and ensure the benefits of our tech boom are distributed equitably. The new Per Scholas Satellite Learning Model will broaden opportunity to underserved communities throughout the five boroughs, at a time when we need it most. I look forward to building on this innovative new initiative to ensure that we are diversifying the talent in our tech sector and preparing New Yorkers for the jobs of the 21st century,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

 

The intimate event was streamed from Per Scholas’s Brooklyn Campus, which was recently expanded through the generous support of champion partner Barclays, and featured 19 learners – 10 in Brooklyn and nine in Queens – participating in an IT Support course that commenced last week. 

“Barclays is incredibly proud to support Per Scholas’s efforts to train and prepare more New Yorkers for careers in technology,” said Richard Haworth, Americas CEO, Barclays. “Since 2012, we have partnered with Per Scholas in its mission to create pathways to upwardly mobile careers through financial support, job placement opportunities, and colleague volunteering. We are thrilled to further the impact of Per Scholas’s programming through this expansion.”

 

Per Scholas is teaming up with Commonpoint Queens and with the JCC of Staten Island as Satellite partners in order to offer these trainings in Queens and Staten Island respectively. Commonpoint Queens will host the course at its Elmhurst Employment Hub and JCC of Staten Island at its Bernikow Headquarters. Per Scholas will provide an Instructional Assistant to be present in satellite classrooms in order to support learners in real-time.

 

“One of the big keys in building back a more resilient New York City is strategic partnerships and working together,” said Danielle Ellman, CEO of Commonpoint Queens. “We are incredibly excited to work together to take the expertise and rich programming offered by Per Scholas and present it to our community, ensuring that we can train future professionals in emerging fields so that they don’t get left behind.”

 

JCC of Staten Island CEO Orit Lender said, “We are so thrilled to be partnering with Per Scholas on this initiative, which will launch our Career Connections programming. Working with Per Scholas, we will help bridge the gap for those in our borough looking for tech jobs and create a stronger future for Staten Island. By linking career training to our already robust social services, we will be able to accommodate Staten Islanders with a wide variety of needs and help them get good-paying jobs in the tech sector. I would like to thank Borough President Oddo, the Chamber of Commerce, The Staten Island Foundation, and all of our community partners for their crucial work in creating this partnership.”

 

According to a recent report from the Center for an Urban Future, nearly one-in-five of all new job postings in New York City during the pandemic were in technology occupations. Demand for tech jobs across the city was more than triple that of marketing and almost five times higher than demand for hospitality or education. As reported last month, New York City has the second-highest average tech salaries in the nation and experienced a double-digit increase, despite the economic impact of COVID-19. 

 

Over the course of the pandemic, Per Scholas has trained approximately 850 New Yorkers in a virtual setting in a variety of technology tracks including IT Support, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, AWS re/Start, and more. On average, Per Scholas New York graduates earn four times their pre-training wage in their first job after Per Scholas. 

 

“By launching our Satellite Model here in New York, Per Scholas continues to expand our impact to train even more New Yorkers for thriving careers in tech. This is how we’re helping to grow back stronger and fuel an equitable recovery here in New York City’s tech sector,” said  Plinio Ayala, Per Scholas President and CEO.  “With its launch, we unlock more potential for the future of Per Scholas locally and will connect more individuals previously underrepresented in tech to careers in a thriving industry. As we learn more based on data and outcomes, we’ll evaluate and adjust this new delivery model, continuing to remove barriers to our nation’s future technologists.” 

 

Initial support for Per Scholas’s Satellite Model has been generously provided by Amazon and The Tiger Foundation as well as The Altman Foundation, The Aronson Family Foundation, The Clark Foundation, PDT Partners, and The Staten Island Foundation.

 

“As a company, we’ve made upskilling and workforce development a priority here, in New York City, and nationally, so partnering with Per Scholas is a natural fit for Amazon,” said Carley Graham Garcia, Amazon’s New York City Head of External Affairs. “By expanding educational and job training opportunities in Staten Island, this initiative will help more of our neighbors pursue promising careers, while simultaneously building a talent pipeline and attracting greater economic investment to the borough. We thank the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and Borough President James Oddo for all their work to make this expansion possible.”

 

Charles Buice, President of Tiger Foundation, said, “As a supporter of Per Scholas since 1998, Tiger Foundation is thrilled to see Per Scholas expanding its work to help New Yorkers across the city develop skills and connect to jobs with opportunities for growth and advancement. And we are even more excited that they are doing so in close collaboration with other community-based organizations. The ambitious growth that Per Scholas is undertaking will help bring opportunity and crucial supports to many individuals and families and will build needed capacity across the city’s nonprofits and neighborhoods to support careers in technology.” 

 

For more information, and to learn about upcoming Per Scholas courses offered in New York, please visit PerScholas.org/NewYork.

 

Editor’s Note: High-resolution photos from today’s celebration are available upon request. Please contact Brad Angevine at [email protected]. 

 

About Per Scholas

Per Scholas is a national organization that has been advancing economic mobility for 25 years. Through rigorous training, professional development, and robust employer connections, we prepare individuals traditionally underrepresented in technology for high-growth careers in the industry. We partner with leading employers to build more diverse talent pools, directly connecting our graduates to new career opportunities at businesses ranging from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. With campuses in 17 cities, Per Scholas has trained more than 14,000 individuals in tech skills, building bridges to careers in technology. To learn more, visit PerScholas.org.

An endorsed talent development partner for OneTen, Per Scholas’s commitment will help the coalition reach its goal of training and creating jobs for one million Black Americans

 

New York, N.Y. (October 7, 2021) – For more than 25 years, Per Scholas has advanced economic equity through in-demand technology training, and this week, the nonprofit announced its plan to train tens of thousands of Black learners over the next ten years in support of OneTen – a coalition of leading corporate executives, talent developers, and community leaders who are committed to training, hiring, and advancing Black talent for family-sustaining career opportunities.

 

The training commitment is the latest move by Per Scholas to prepare BIPOC workers for high-growth careers in technology. In June, OneTen announced Per Scholas as an endorsed talent developer to advance its mission of expanding career pathways for one million Black Americans over the next decade.

“Per Scholas has always understood the value of training individuals for high-growth careers where they can thrive and build a better life for themselves, their families, and their communities – which is why we’re doing everything possible to expand and scale our training programs to underrepresented talent across the U.S.,” said Plinio Ayala, President, and CEO of Per Scholas. “As part of our work, we could not be more proud to stand alongside OneTen as we commit to training one in every 10 Black Americans that OneTen will reach for life-changing careers in technology – playing a significant role in what is hopefully the end of the lingering opportunity gap in America.”

 

In addition to this latest training commitment, Per Scholas also presented the Diverse by Design North Star Awards – which celebrates and honors leaders who are transforming diversity in the technology sector and beyond. The inaugural award recipients include:

• Jay Alvather, President of TEKsystems: Building on 20 years of service to TEKsystems, Alvather was appointed President of the global provider of technology, business, and talent solutions in 2015. Inclusion and diversity have always been core to his work, and he has been integral in making a more streamlined, direct connection between in-demand employment opportunities and diverse talent. TEKsystems is pleased to continue their support of Per Scholas’s national expansion plans in 2022 and beyond.
• Dalila Wilson-Scott, EVP and Chief Diversity Officer for Comcast Corporation, and President of the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation: Wilson-Scott leads all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives and philanthropic strategy for the global corporation, including the company’s $100 million dollar commitment to advancing social justice and equality in today’s workforce. Comcast NBCUniversal has also made a tremendous investment in Per Scholas, enabling the nonprofit to grow its training and reach more aspiring technologists amid the coronavirus pandemic.
• Maurice Jones, CEO of OneTen: Jones is on a mission to help OneTen close the opportunity gap for Black talent in America, partnering with corporate leaders from all sectors and industries to upskill, hire, and promote one million Black Americans into family-sustaining jobs. This decade-long commitment will be transformational to our nation and directly beneficial to the communities where we live, work, and play.

“It was a tremendous honor to present our inaugural Diverse by Design North Star Awards to Jay, Dalila, and Maurice earlier this week,” said Damien Howard, Executive Vice President of Social Ventures at Per Scholas and Co-Founder of Diverse by Design. “Much like the North Star – a collection of the brightest and most brilliant stars in the night sky – these leaders and their organizations serve as a beacon. Their commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are bright, awe-inspiring, and inspirational.”

 

Per Scholas will train more than 3,000 learners this year – 90% of whom are Black and brown talent – remotely and across 17 campuses. On average, 85% of learners accepted into Per Scholas will go on to graduate, 80% of graduates will secure employment at an average wage of at least $20 an hour, and 75% will retain employment beyond one year in their field. Historically, alumni will also make roughly four times more in their first job after graduation than their pre-training wage.

For more information, please visit PerScholas.org and OneTen.org.

 

Editor’s Note: High-resolution photos of the Diverse by Design North Star Award presentation are available upon request. Please contact Sara Luciano at (332) 895-0051 or by email at [email protected].

 

About Per Scholas

Per Scholas is a national organization that has been advancing economic mobility for 25 years. Through rigorous training, professional development, and robust employer connections, we prepare individuals traditionally underrepresented in technology for high-growth careers in the industry. We partner with leading employers to build more diverse talent pools, directly connecting our graduates to new career opportunities at businesses ranging from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. With campuses in 17 cities, Per Scholas has trained more than 14,000 individuals in tech skills, building bridges to careers in technology. To learn more, visit PerScholas.org.

 

About Diverse by Design

Diverse by Design, powered by Per Scholas and ITSMF, promotes solutions-driven conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion within tech, produces meaningful content that empowers c-suite leaders to make both valuable and socially impactful business decisions and provides access to sophisticated customized training and talent sourcing solutions to meet companies’ talent demands while transforming the diversity landscape of their organizations. To learn more, visit diversebydesign.org.

 

About OneTen

OneTen is a coalition of leading chief executives and their companies who are coming together to upskill, hire and promote one million Black Americans over the next 10 years who do not yet have a four-year degree into family-sustaining jobs with opportunities for advancement. We connect employers with talent partners, leading nonprofits, and other skill-credentialing organizations that support the development of diverse talent. By creating more equitable and inclusive workforces, we believe we can reach our full potential as a nation of united citizens. Join us at OneTen.org.

 

Wilkesboro, N.C. (September 20, 2021) – A bold new initiative seeks to grow a new generation of technology professionals and entrepreneurs in Northwest North Carolina. In an effort to address the state-wide skills gap in entry-level technology career paths and in recognition of the increasing appetite for companies to allow technology talent to work remotely, Wilkes Community College has announced an innovative technology training partnership with nationally renowned tech skills training nonprofit Per Scholas. 

 

The partnership, which is made possible through the philanthropic support of the Leonard G. Herring Family Foundation, will provide in-demand training and workforce-relevant credentials and certifications for individuals interested in pursuing a career in technology. Critically, the program will work with employers state-wide to connect the program graduates to job opportunities that allow talent to remain in Northwest North Carolina. 

 

“The tech industry in North Carolina is booming, the pay is great, career growth potential is exceptional, and we want our region to benefit,” said Dr. Jeff Cox, president of Wilkes Community College. “I am thrilled to be entering this partnership with Per Scholas to offer an expanded set of options for great technology careers to our students. Paired with our own fantastic IT instructors, this partnership will provide great career opportunities for our students to graduate from WCC and access high-paying tech jobs that, increasingly, can be done remotely from our region. Remote work allows folks to earn a good living and live a good life surrounded by the natural beauty and small-town feel of Northwest NC.”

 

“All companies have some degree of technology-based workforce needs,” said Craig DeLucia, Chief Operating Officer of The Leonard G. Herring Family Foundation. “However, North Carolina employers from the coast to the mountains are reporting a significant shortage in workforce-ready talent to fill these jobs. With our best-in-class fiber connectivity and the willingness of employers to locate tech talent remotely, we believe that our talent in Northwest North Carolina can compete with entry-level technologists anywhere in the state, given the opportunity, the training, and the knowledge that these jobs exist.”

 

“It was important to us to find a workforce training program that has been proven elsewhere but could be replicated in our own backyard,” continued DeLucia. “Per Scholas has demonstrated success by training more than 14,000 people for technology careers and deploying over 11,000 of those graduates into tech jobs. But Per Scholas has also shown an ability and interest in shaping their partnership with Wilkes Community College to meet our own local needs. We believe that supporting this partnership is one of the highest-impact investments we can make in helping our neighbors find a career path that can provide a family-sustaining wage.”

 

A 2021 report on the tech industry in North Carolina, published by CompTIA, noted that the median tech wage was $82,717, which is 97% higher than the median state wage. In 2020, there were 169,891 job postings in North Carolina, many of which are telework-friendly for residents of Northwest North Carolina. The Wilkes Community College and Per Scholas partnership would make a variety of tech training pathways available to individuals 18 or older with a high school diploma or equivalent who reside in Wilkes, Ashe, and Alleghany counties, as well as 11 other counties within the Appalachian Regional Commission: Alexander, Caldwell, Iredell, Surry, Watauga, and Yadkin in North Carolina; Johnson and Washington in Tennessee; and Carroll, Grayson, and Smyth in Virginia. 

 

In addition to technical skills, students will also benefit from Per Scholas’ professional development, career coaching, and Learner Support Team offerings, which help individuals gain soft skills and grow into full-time, high-growth careers. To further support students, a stipend totaling $2,250 will be paid incrementally over the duration of the training. 

 

“This is a great opportunity to showcase the immense talent we have here in Northwest North Carolina and the broader region, and I think it’s coming at the perfect time,” said Mike Terrell, Managing Director of Per Scholas North Carolina. “We’re in a position to really ‘lean in’ to the long-term possibilities of remote learning and remote work and to bring the benefits of tech growth we’re seeing across North Carolina and the nation right into our own backyard. As a resident, I’m excited to see the impact this will have on our communities.”

 

Per Scholas launched technology training in Charlotte in June 2020 and, to date, more than 90 learners have been trained in Java Development, IT Support, and End User Desktop Support. Many Per Scholas North Carolina alumni are now working in technology roles at companies including TEKsystems, UPS, and Charter Communications. 

 

To learn more about upcoming training opportunities through this partnership and to apply, please visit perscholas.org/wcc-start. 

 

About Per Scholas

Per Scholas is a national organization that has been advancing economic mobility for 25 years. Through rigorous training, professional development, and robust employer connections, we prepare individuals traditionally underrepresented in technology for high-growth careers in the industry. We partner with leading employers to build more diverse talent pools, directly connecting our graduates to new career opportunities at businesses ranging from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. With campuses in 17 major metropolitan areas, Per Scholas has trained more than 14,000 individuals in tech skills, building bridges to careers in technology. To learn more, visit perscholas.org.

 

About Wilkes Community College

Wilkes Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System, is a public, two-year, open-door institution serving the people of Wilkes, Ashe, and Alleghany counties and beyond. Established in 1965, WCC continues to build on a strong history of meeting the educational needs and cultural interests of our students, community, and workforce. WCC prepares learners for success in a dynamic world. To learn more, visit wilkescc.edu. 

 

About The Leonard G. Herring Family Foundation 

The Herring Family Foundation (HFF), based in Wilkes County, honors the civic and philanthropic spirit of Leonard and Rose Herring and their family. Leonard retired from Lowe’s Companies in 1996 after over 40 years of service. As a member of the Office of the President from 1960 to 1978 and then as President and CEO from 1978 to 1996, Leonard oversaw the growth of Lowe’s from a privately-owned 15-store company with $30 million of annual sales to a public company with more than 365 stores and annual sales of more than $7 billion. On behalf of the Herring Family, HFF seeks to fund resources that are broadly accessible to members of our communities, and that enable individuals to learn, grow, and provide richer and healthier lives for themselves and their families.

Fueled by Department of Labor Grant, All-Women Training Cohort in Washington, D.C. Region Starts Early 2022

Photo Credit: Department of Labor, Alyson Fligg

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 10, 2021) – At a ceremony held at Per Scholas’s Philadelphia Campus yesterday afternoon, U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty J. Walsh named Per Scholas one of five new Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations grant recipients. Joining Secretary Walsh at the announcement was Department of Labor Women’s Bureau Director Wendy Chun-Hoon.

Per Scholas will use this grant to launch a Women in Tech Software Engineering Apprenticeship training track at its Washington, D.C.-area campus in 2022. Developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on women workers and in line with Per Scholas’s commitment to increase the number of women and women of color in technology jobs across America, 90 women will be trained over the course of 2022 as a result of this new innovation. The training will be delivered remotely and on a modified schedule, providing flexibility and support for parents or others with caregiving responsibilities. At the end of the 15-week training, graduates will enter a year-long paid apprenticeship in technology roles.

“It can’t be understated just how much the pandemic has impacted our nation – and women and women of color in particular. The creativity, compassion, and innovation from our Per Scholas team to identify this opportunity and create a new, unique offering centered to serve women learners is remarkable,” said Plinio Ayala, President and CEO of Per Scholas. “At Per Scholas, we’re always innovating and adjusting our offerings based on feedback from our employer partners and market demand. I’m very optimistic about our new Women in Tech Software Engineer Apprenticeship offering and have high hopes that we’ll be able to replicate and offer this training in additional markets in the months and years to come with additional, intentional investment.”

Administered by the Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau and Employment and Training Administration, the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations grants were awarded to four additional organizations based in California, Mississippi, Texas, and Wisconsin. The funding will support grantees in their efforts to recruit, train, and retain more women in quality pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship programs as well as nontraditional occupations.

“For too long, women have faced barriers to gaining entry into apprenticeships and nontraditional careers,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty J. Walsh. “As we work to build back a better economy, these grants will empower women to get the training and support they need to secure good-paying jobs and pathways into the middle class. They are an important and effective tool for creating a more inclusive and equitable workforce.”

“The pandemic forced 3 million women out of the labor force, and women of color have borne that job loss the hardest. Black women’s employment is down 7 percent from pre-pandemic levels, and the number of Hispanic women is still down 5 percent. It’s never before been more important for us to advance training, employment, and return to work opportunities that connect women and particularly women of color into higher-wage jobs so that our nation’s economic recovery brings us greater equity,” said Women’s Bureau Director Wendy Chun-Hoon.

Two Per Scholas Philadelphia women graduates shared their perspectives during the celebration. Lashay Cokley, who enrolled in Per Scholas training during the pandemic and graduated earlier this year shared, “Ultimately, I feel with technology, I’m able to access so many more possibilities than I was previously.”

“I gained so much from my experience with Per Scholas. It reinforced the knowledge I already had in technology, I gained a lot of new skills, and, most importantly, it gave me the confidence to pursue a career in technology, which is what I’ve always wanted,” said Per Scholas Philadelphia Alumna Susan Tabassum.

“In order to ensure an equitable recovery for women and women of color, investments just like this are essential,” said Caitlyn Brazill, who represented Per Scholas at yesterday’s announcement and serves as the national nonprofit’s Chief Development Officer. “Per Scholas commends the Biden Administration for prioritizing these kinds of investments – in proven programs – that support workers and training for high-growth careers.”

Photos from the September 9, 2021 women in tech event are available, courtesy of the Department of Labor, at this link.

About Per Scholas

Per Scholas is a national organization that has been advancing economic mobility for 25 years. Through rigorous training, professional development, and robust employer connections, we prepare individuals traditionally underrepresented in technology for high-growth careers in the industry. We partner with leading employers to build more diverse talent pools, directly connecting our graduates to new career opportunities at businesses ranging from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. With campuses in 17 cities, Per Scholas has trained more than 14,000 individuals in tech skills, building bridges to careers in technology. To learn more, visit PerScholas.org.

Jaclyn Boyes Joins Per Scholas as Managing Director, Driving Equity in Tech For Nonprofit’s 1^st Southwest Campus

 

Phoenix, Ariz. (August 30, 2021) – Earlier today, 19 learners successfully graduated from Per Scholas’s inaugural Full Stack Java Developer course in Phoenix, powered by TEKsystems, a full-stack technology and talent services provider. For more than 25 years, Per Scholas has advanced economic equity through technology, and this course marks the national nonprofit’s third graduation in its three-city expansion in 2021, preceded by Pittsburgh and Seattle.

Franklin Reed, Executive Director of Inclusion and Diversity at TEKsystems, delivered remarks during the virtual celebration, noting the cohort’s resilience and readiness for their upcoming IT careers. “Our TEKsystems team is more committed than ever to take your newly developed skills and parlay them into a life-changing and long-term career,” Reed said. Referencing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s quote, Reed closed with, “’Faith is taking the first step even when you cannot see the whole staircase.’ Don’t let today represent the top of the staircase—let it represent another step. We wish you every success as you enter the workforce and look forward to remaining connected with you on your journey.”

Graduates have mastered specific technical skills employers seek in entry and mid-level Java Developers, advanced their coding skills, and gained experience with Java, data structures, web services, algorithms, and more. Aligned with Per Scholas’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, half of the inaugural cohort identify as people of color and one-fifth as women.

Jaclyn Boyes has joined Per Scholas Phoenix as Managing Director, leading the strategic and programmatic direction of the local campus. Passionate about connecting people to purpose, Jaclyn’s career intersects nonprofit, business, and education. Prior to joining Per Scholas, Jaclyn served as Senior Career Specialist for Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management.

“The inaugural class reached their graduation goal by displaying adaptability, perseverance, and teamwork, and leave with key tech skills employers are seeking. We are thrilled for each learner’s success and excited to see our Per Scholas Phoenix graduates launch an in-demand career in technology,” said Jaclyn Boyes, Per Scholas Phoenix Managing Director. “Thank you to TEKsystems for partnering with us to build a diverse pipeline of highly skilled tech talent here in Arizona.”

A hiring partner since 2015, TEKsystems has hired hundreds of Per Scholas graduates to date. In collaboration with Per Scholas, TEKsystems will train hundreds more for high-demand roles over the next two years.

For more information, and to learn about upcoming Per Scholas courses offered in Phoenix, please visit PerScholas.org/Phoenix.

About Per Scholas

Per Scholas is a national organization that has been advancing economic mobility for 25 years. Through rigorous training, professional development, and robust employer connections, we prepare individuals traditionally underrepresented in technology for high-growth careers in the industry. We partner with leading employers to build more diverse talent pools, directly connecting our graduates to new career opportunities at businesses ranging from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. With campuses in 17 cities, Per Scholas has trained more than 14,000 individuals in tech skills, building bridges to careers in technology. To learn more, visit PerScholas.org.

About TEKsystems

We’re partners in transformation. We help clients activate ideas and solutions to take advantage of a new world of opportunity. We are a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 clients, including 80% of the Fortune 500, across North America, Europe and Asia. As an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services and real-world application, we work with progressive leaders to drive change. That’s the power of true partnership. TEKsystems is an Allegis Group company.

Jacqueline Ivy Hardin Joins Per Scholas as Managing Director, Driving Equity in Tech For Nonprofit’s 1^st West Coast Campus

 

Seattle, Wash. (August 27, 2021) – Earlier today, 19 learners successfully graduated from Per Scholas’s inaugural Full Stack Java Developer course in Seattle, powered by TEKsystems, a full-stack technology and talent services provider. For more than 25 years, Per Scholas has advanced economic equity through technology, and this course marks the national nonprofit’s second graduation in its three-city expansion in 2021, preceded by Pittsburgh in June and to be followed by Phoenix next week.

Melanie Staley, Senior Vice President for Regional Operations at TEKsystems, delivered remarks during the virtual celebration, commending graduates for their grit, determination, and tenacity. “I know the kind of transformative power and impact that making this kind of investment in yourself will have on your future,” said Staley. “We are well-known as the Silicon Forest. May your roots grow deep and may your treetops continue to reach for the sun. With today’s graduation, you’re embarking on a thriving career in tech, and TEKsystems is proud to be part of your journey.”

Graduates have mastered specific technical skills employers seek in entry and mid-level Java Developers, advanced their coding skills, and gained experience with Java, data structures, web services, algorithms, and more. Aligned with Per Scholas’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, two-third of learners are people of color, 42 percent identify as women, and half were unemployed for 6 or more months before they began this free, rigorous tech training.

Jacqueline Ivy Hardin has joined Per Scholas Seattle as Managing Director, leading the strategic and programmatic direction of the local campus. Passionate about creating equitable access to economic prosperity, Jackie’s career intersects workforce development, college access, and talent development. Prior to joining Per Scholas, Jackie was the Senior Program Manager for Get Schooled, where she led the organization’s efforts to support young people as they prepare for, find, and succeed in their first jobs. Her previous roles include serving as Project Manager for the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles, and a Human Resources Manager for Target Corporation.

“Per Scholas is incredibly proud to join Seattle’s powerful tech community. Creating pathways to thriving wage careers for individuals traditionally underrepresented in technology is critical to maintaining a strong regional economy. We are excited for the opportunity to provide training that enables participants to kick start their careers in technology while also working toward the goal of creating inclusive economic prosperity in the region,” said Jackie Ivy Hardin, Managing Director, Per Scholas Seattle. “We’re very grateful to our partner TEKsystems and look forward to positively impacting communities across the Pacific Northwest, together.”

A hiring partner since 2015, TEKsystems has hired hundreds of Per Scholas graduates to date. In collaboration with Per Scholas, TEKsystems will train hundreds more for high-demand roles over the next two years.

For more information, and to learn about upcoming Per Scholas courses offered in Seattle, please visit PerScholas.org/Seattle.

About Per Scholas

Per Scholas is a national organization that has been advancing economic mobility for 25 years. Through rigorous training, professional development, and robust employer connections, we prepare individuals traditionally underrepresented in technology for high-growth careers in the industry. We partner with leading employers to build more diverse talent pools, directly connecting our graduates to new career opportunities at businesses ranging from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. With campuses in 17 cities, Per Scholas has trained more than 14,000 individuals in tech skills, building bridges to careers in technology. To learn more, visit PerScholas.org.

About TEKsystems

We’re partners in transformation. We help clients activate ideas and solutions to take advantage of a new world of opportunity. We are a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 clients, including 80% of the Fortune 500, across North America, Europe and Asia. As an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services and real-world application, we work with progressive leaders to drive change. That’s the power of true partnership. TEKsystems is an Allegis Group company.