Stipends & Skills Training: A Winning Combination

 

For millions of Americans who struggle in low-wage jobs, sector-specific accelerated skills training is a proven economic mobility solution. However, a financial barrier to participate in training exists for many potential participants. In 2021, Per Scholas partnered with the SkillUp Coalition to test the impact of providing one-time $1,000 stipends for learners across the United States.

 

Per Scholas learners during training

The Research

A year later, the results are clear: stipends work and make a transformational difference in the lives of those enrolled in a proven training program. In every category evaluated, Per Scholas learners who received a stipend out-performed those who didn’t. After controlling for demographics and educational differences, receiving the $1,000 SkillUp stipend was associated with an 18 percent increase in graduation, 11 percent increase in certification rates, and a 10 percent increase in employment.

Stipends & Skills Training statistics

Click below to read our Policy Brief and to access the full research.

 

Stipends & Skills Training Cover pages

Read the Policy Brief

Read the Full Research

 

 


 

 

Meet Brianna, A SkillUp Stipend Recipient

Hear from Per Scholas Cincinnati graduate and SkillUp stipend recipient Brianna as she shares about

her upskilling journey from custodian to IT Support Specialist.

 

 

Stipends & Skills Training: A Winning Combination Webinar

On December 6, Per Scholas and SkillUp hosted a virtual event to increase awareness about the power of stipends in skills training. Panelists included:

Steve Lee, Executive Director, SkillUp
Caitlyn Brazill, Chief Development Officer, Per Scholas
Brennan Brown, Director, Educational Partnerships, Charles Koch Foundation
Hector Mujica, Head of Economic Opportunity, Americas, Google
Anthony Ngangmi, Per Scholas Graduate who received a stipend in 2021, Oracle

Click here to watch the powerful webinar.

Stipends & Skills Training Panelists

Want to get in touch? 

We’d love to hear from you! Please contact Sara Luciano, Vice President of Communications at Per Scholas by email at [email protected].

Interested in partnering with SkillUp?

Visit www.skillup.org/partners to learn more and submit your interest!

 

per scholas atlanta

Are you ready to partner with Per Scholas?

Hire a graduate, customize a course, volunteer, or invest in Per Scholas. Get in touch with a team member and become a Per Scholas Partner.

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Unlocking Potential
Changing the Face of Tech

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Per Scholas is proud to announce that we are winners of the 2023 Kristof Holiday Impact Prize, and we have been selected as a beneficiary of The New York Times Communities Fund. Contributions from these campaigns will fuel Per Scholas’ Career Access Fund, providing thousands of diverse learners in 2024 with everything they need to unlock their potential through tuition-free tech training.

Learn More