Prudential Financial Awards Per Scholas a $1 Million, Multi-Year Commitment to Help Close the Tech Opportunity Gap for Black and Latino Workers in Newark

In light of COVID-19, the partnership aims to ensure economic security and professional success for some of New Jersey’s hardest hit workers

Newark, NJ – December 9, 2020 – Today, national tech training nonprofit Per Scholas announced that it has received a $1 million, multi-year grant from Prudential Financial to support its program operations in Newark. The goal is to help prepare low-income and minority communities for jobs in today’s growing tech sector. Over the next three years, the funds will be used to enroll over 500 students in training tracks like cloud data management, software engineering, network support, and cybersecurity as a way to meet local employer needs. In addition to tuition-free curriculum, Per Scholas Newark students will also receive career support services, financial coaching, and networking opportunities with a variety of Fortune 500 hiring partners.

At a time when thousands of NJ residents have been laid off or furloughed due to COVID-related circumstances, the partnership with Prudential will help Per Scholas keep up with growing demand for its programs – including enrolling students into remote-only classes. Eligible students will include job seekers who are 18 and older, have a high school degree or equivalent, and have an interest in entering the technology workforce.

“For over 25 years, Per Scholas has helped break the cycle of poverty for thousands of individuals and families in the cities that need it most,” said LaToya Sands, Managing Director of Per Scholas Newark. “Our market-driven training models and extensive support services were designed to help people kickstart careers in today’s most promising tech fields – which has become more important than ever in light of the current economic situation we’re in. This incredible investment from Prudential will help us expand and adapt our programs in Newark based on current job market needs. We could not be more excited to have the support of Prudential as we do so.”

Having launched in April 2019 with support from Prudential, Per Scholas Newark has already successfully trained nearly 200 learners – many of whom have since gained employment with local Newark employers including Prudential Financial. After 15 weeks of training, approximately 85% of students accepted into the program will go on to graduate, 80% of graduates will go on to secure employment at an average wage of at least $20 an hour, and 75% will retain employment for at least one year in the respective field. Historically, alumni will also make roughly three times more in their first job after graduation than their pre-training wage. Nationally, more than 86% of Per Scholas’ learners are people of color and around a third are young adults (18-24) when they enroll. The majority of these learners have a high school diploma or equivalent as their highest educational attainment.

“Prudential is a proud supporter and partner of Per Scholas,” said Shané Harris, Vice President, Inclusive Solutions at Prudential Financial and President of the Prudential Foundation. “Now more than ever, Newarkers should have the opportunity to learn in-demand skills and succeed in a high-performing career. Per Scholas is cultivating an incredible and diverse pipeline of talent that companies like Prudential must continue to tap into to create a fully inclusive workplace.”

To learn more about Per Scholas training opportunities, 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 with leading employers, from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. With campuses in 14 cities, Per Scholas has trained more than 12,000 individuals in tech skills, building bridges to careers in technology. To learn more, please visit https://perscholas.org/.

Comcast Announces $1 Million Commitment to Per Scholas to Combat the Tech Opportunity Gap Across the U.S. 

Comcast will serve as a founding corporate partner, helping Per Scholas to expand training sites and prepare 1,000 diverse learners for careers in technology through remote training

New York, NY – December 3, 2020 – Comcast NBCUniversal today announced a $1 million commitment to national tech training nonprofit Per Scholas to scale its remote operations and train 1,000 learners — 87% of whom are people of color, 30% women, and 60% with no degree beyond high school — for in-demand technology jobs. The partnership will enable Per Scholas to provide tuition-free training remotely to diverse talent in 10 U.S. markets, with programs in IT Support, Software Engineering, Cyber Security, and Cloud Support. 

At a time when millions of Americans have been laid off or furloughed due to COVID-related circumstances, this partnership with Comcast will help Per Scholas keep up with growing demand for its programs and train individuals for promising careers in technology. In addition to a comprehensive, market-driven curriculum, learners from Atlanta, Baltimore, Greater Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, the National Capital Region, Newark, Philadelphia, and New York will also receive career support services, financial coaching, technology toolkits, and networking opportunities with a variety of Fortune 500 hiring partners.

“At Per Scholas, we know that a thriving workforce starts with equitable access to education, which is why we’ve dedicated the last 25 years to training diverse talent that is traditionally underrepresented in the tech field,” said Plinio Ayala, President and CEO of Per Scholas. “In light of COVID-19 and the accelerated shift to remote work that we’re seeing, expanding this work is more important than ever – and we’d be unable to do so without the help of incredible partners like Comcast. This investment will allow us to expand across the US and adapt our training models to meet changing employer needs. We could not be more excited to have Comcast’s support in this essential expansion initiative.”

In addition to creating 1,000 accessible careers in technology, Comcast NBCUniversal’s partnership will power an ambitious expansion of Per Scholas training sites in Philadelphia and Chicago. With Comcast as a founding champion partner in Philadelphia, the nonprofit will be able to enroll 100 highly skilled, tech-savvy adults to train for tech careers. In the growing tech hub of Chicago, Comcast’s support as a founding partner will enable Per Scholas to enroll 80 individuals to access tech careers. 

In New York, Comcast NBCUniversal will also support Per Scholas’ Tech Career Exploration program in 20 high schools throughout the city. Through this interactive curriculum, teachers will be trained to assist students as they explore careers in IT Support, Computer Networking, and Cybersecurity. 

“Today’s workforce training programs need to keep pace with an economy dramatically changed by COVID-19. Per Scholas’ work to prepare diverse learners for careers in technology has never been more critical and we are proud to launch this significant new partnership by supporting training centers in 10 cities, including Philadelphia, Chicago, and New York,” said Dalila Wilson-Scott, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Comcast. “By providing tuition-free training remotely to underrepresented communities, Per Scholas shares our commitment to an equitable and diverse tech sector, ensuring that more people have equal access to the education and training needed to succeed.” 

Comcast will also become a leading voice and sponsor for Diverse by Design (DxD) in 2021 – a national conversation series led by Per Scholas that focuses on increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the technology workforce across the U.S. Since its launch in 2016, DxD has engaged more than 800 leaders over seven conferences. Looking ahead, Comcast NBCUniversal employees will engage in a variety of volunteer opportunities to foster tech careers for young adults and adult learners.

Comcast has long been committed to addressing digital inequities so that all Americans have the opportunity to succeed in an increasingly digital world. Since 2011, its low-income, high speed broadband adoption program, Internet Essentials, has connected more than 8 million Americans to the Internet at home. Beyond connectivity, Comcast is also focused on providing digital skills training to young people and to upskilling adults with the aim of improving economic mobility. Comcast’s investment in Per Scholas is part of the company’s multi-year $100 million commitment to fight injustice and inequality and will help address the tech opportunity gap across the U.S.

“My training at Per Scholas has changed the entire trajectory of my life,” says Davida Garner, a recent Per Scholas Philadelphia graduate. “I am now pursuing a career in IT as a technical support analyst. In the year since I graduated from Per Scholas, I have noticed that my professional confidence has gone up and I am able to learn more quickly, as I have a solid foundation in IT.”

On average, approximately 85% of students 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 the IT field. Historically, alumni will also make roughly three times more in their first job after graduation than their pre-training wage.

To learn more about Per Scholas, 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 with leading employers, from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. With campuses in 14 cities, Per Scholas has trained more than 12,000 individuals in tech skills, building bridges to careers in technology. To learn more, please visit https://perscholas.org/.

About Comcast Corporation 

Comcast Corporation is a global media and technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States’ largest high-speed internet, video, and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is global and operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and Resorts. Sky is one of Europe’s leading media and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services. It also provides communications services, including residential high-speed internet, phone, and wireless services. Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original content, and has exclusive content rights. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

Per Scholas Partners with Liquid Technology for #GivingTuesday Donation Drive

Champion partner Liquid Technology will match up to $10,000 on #GivingTuesday, allowing the tech training nonprofit to provide much-needed technical support to remote learners

New York, NY – December 1, 2020 – Today, national tech training nonprofit Per Scholas announced that its Champion Partner, Liquid Technology, will be matching all donations to the organization on #GivingTuesday, up to $10,000. Every dollar donated to the nonprofit before midnight will go directly to Per Scholas’ 1,000 Careers Campaign, which is providing technology toolkits to Per Scholas learners who need additional support in light of remote training.

With millions of Americans still unemployed due to COVID-19, Per Scholas is working to provide skills training and economic opportunities to those most often excluded from good paying, high-growth technology careers – particularly women and BIPOC. The 1,000 Careers Campaign will ensure that Per Scholas learners have access to the equipment they need, including a laptop, webcam, headphones, Wi-Fi access, and Raspberry Pi microcomputer, to help them complete training and find meaningful employment.

“Now more than ever, it’s important that individuals seeking to invest in their futures have the tools and training they need to succeed,” said Per Scholas CEO Plinio Ayala. “Per Scholas was founded to provide technology and tech skills to the communities that need them the most, and this continued support from Liquid Technology will allow us to extend opportunities to even more deserving learners.”

“As a long time Per Scholas partner, we know how important their efforts are to providing economic opportunity for communities of color, having been hit disproportionately hard by the Covid-19 pandemic,” shared Richard Greene, Liquid Technology Managing Partner. “We are honored to participate in Per Scholas’ Giving Tuesday campaign by matching funds. Liquid Technology takes great pride in supporting Per Scholas and their initiatives.”

Through Per Scholas’s tuition-free tech training programs, more than 12,000 job-seekers across the U.S. have received the technology skills, career foundation, and financial coaching they need to be successful in today’s workforce. Approximately 85% of learners graduate in 15 weeks, and alumni earn, on average, three times their pre-training wage in their first job after graduation. 

To donate and your contribution matched on #GivingTuesday, visit PERSCHOLAS.ORG/1000CAREERS 

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 with leading employers, from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. With campuses in 14 cities, Per Scholas has trained more than 12,000 individuals in tech skills, building bridges to careers in technology. To learn more, please visit perscholas.org.

About Liquid Technology

Liquid Technology is a full-service IT asset disposition company that offers a complete suite of services designed to help companies manage their hardware assets. These services include Brokering and Purchasing Excess IT Equipment, Auditable Data Destruction, Environmental Disposal of Electronic Waste and IT Asset Management. To learn more, please visit liquidtechnology.net.

Per Scholas Customized Training will put students in direct hiring pipelines with major technology employers

February 4, 2020 – Platform by Per Scholas has officially rebranded as Per Scholas Customized Training – a revamped social venture that will strengthen the nonprofit’s mission of preparing unemployed and underemployed workers for successful careers in IT and technology. Originally launched in June 2017, Per Scholas Customized Training offers customizable training tracks that are designed for nuanced job and skill specifications, with direct hiring opportunities for students at the end of their training.

In addition to existing courses in Data Engineering, Application Development, SOC Analyst and Network Support, among many others, Per Scholas Customized Training will work hand in hand with businesses and Fortune 500 companies to train and place talent where it is needed the most.

“Technology has transformed the way we work and do business and its also accelerating and changing at a record pace,” said Plinio Ayala, President of Per Scholas. “Per Scholas Customized Training was introduced to help elevate the skills of technology professionals and connect motivated talent with cutting edge technology employers. As our core business continues to expand, this rebrand will allow us to grow in parallel and build lasting partnerships with employers. We look forward to the growth we’ll see this year as a result of Per Scholas Customized Training.”

To learn more about Per Scholas Customized Training, visit https://perscholas.org/partner#customize.

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About Per Scholas

Per Scholas is a national nonprofit that drives positive and proven social change in communities across the country. Through rigorous and tuition-free technology training and professional development, we prepare motivated and curious adults who are unemployed or underemployed for successful careers as technology professionals, and we create onramps to businesses in need of their talents. Today, we provide our solutions in twelve cities across the country: Atlanta, GA; Baltimore, MD; Greater Boston, MA; Greater Cincinnati, OH; Columbus, OH; Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Detroit, MI; the National Capital Region; Newark, NJ; New York, NY and Philadelphia, PA. To date, Per Scholas has trained more than 10,000 individuals, helping them build lasting, life-changing skills and careers in technology. To learn more, please visit https://perscholas.org/.

Contact: Olivia Buffington (olivia.buffington@berlinrosen.com, 646-680-0907)

*** MEDIA ADVISORY FOR JULY 22nd***

Per Scholas and TEKsystems Announce Open Enrollment for the Launch of Network Support Training Track in Philadelphia

The joint partnership will provide free skills training, career development, and job placement services to Philadelphia residents from overlooked communities.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Per Scholas has officially opened enrollment for its new technology training curriculum in Philadelphia, in conjunction with full-stack technology services provider TEKsystems. The Network Support training program offers the CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications and equips students with the skills needed to fill a wide range of entry-level technology jobs as a support technician. Applications are now being accepted for the tuition-free 15-week program, which will be taught at 3675 Market Street in the Cambridge Innovation Center.

This announcement is the latest joint effort by Per Scholas and TEKsystems to develop a strong and diverse talent pipeline for emerging U.S. tech hubs. The custom training partnership will initially connect at least 540 motivated and talented individuals in Philadelphia, Boston and Detroit, with the critical skills employers are demanding across each market.

A hiring and training partner since 2015, TEKsystems has hired more than 400 Per Scholas graduates, including a significant number in network support positions. Bringing this partnership to scale will ensure that future career opportunities are accessible by all communities and that equity is a primary consideration as regional and national economies develop.

Successful graduates will have the opportunity to partner with TEKsystems recruiters in each city and be given access to the full suite of graduate services Per Scholas provides with two years of alumni follow-up and support. Each training track will provide practical, hands-on training to participants, along with long-term career guidance and placement support. Skills-based training tracks will be determined from the demand in each local market and may include skills relevant to IT, cyber security, software engineering and data engineering among others.

Per Scholas graduates increase their income by an average of 400 percent upon completing the program and have access to hiring opportunities offered by corporate partners. Individuals interested in the training opportunity should direct applications to www.platformbyps.org/philly/network-support.

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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.

About Per Scholas

Per Scholas is a national nonprofit that drives positive and proven social change in communities across the country. Through rigorous and tuition-free technology training and professional development, we prepare motivated and curious adults who are unemployed or underemployed for successful careers as technology professionals, and we create onramps to businesses in need of their talents. Today we provide our solutions in eight cities across the country: Atlanta, GA; Greater Boston, MA; Greater Cincinnati, OH; Columbus, OH; Dallas, TX; the National Capital Region; Newark, NJ and New York, NY. To date, Per Scholas has trained 9,000 individuals, helping them build lasting, life-changing skills and careers in technology.