Per Scholas Launched 2019 About Opening doors and creating a more diverse tech sector. Per Scholas opens doors for individuals from often overlooked communities to access transformative technology careers. Per Scholas collaborates with businesses to design industry- and job-specific courses based on employers’ technological needs. Highly motivated students receive technology skills training and professional development and earn industry-recognized certifications. Per Scholas leverages its network of employers to match graduates to jobs in the tech sector. Talent is ubiquitous, opportunity is not. Boston is known for being a tech hub, a place of innovation, a thriving tech economy with ample jobs. Yet, many Boston residents were not seeing a pathway into these careers for themselves. To address this inequity, GreenLight selected Per Scholas and supported their expansion to Greater Boston. True to their mission, Per Scholas is effectively changing the face of the tech sector. Participants of color, women and individuals with non-traditional education pathways are afforded opportunities through their program. Per Scholas boasts high graduation and employment rates, with starting wages that are often three times higher than their pre-training wage. Per Scholas creates real opportunities for Boston area residents to build better lives for themselves and their families, create generational change for many, and diversify the tech sector for the better. Founders John Stookey & Lewis Miller President & CEO Plinio Ayala Greater Boston Managing Director H. Kay Howard National Headquarters New York, NY Email Contact [email protected] Website perscholas.org Per Scholas: An alternative path to a career in tech Per Scholas’ Impact in Boston In 2022-2023 237 individuals reached 93% of participants retained employment after one year $24 average hourly starting wage for 2022 graduates compared to target of $18/hr In Boston 83% of Per Scholas participants graduate including Jerson who earned two certifications and, after graduating, began a career as an IT professional Read the Story In Boston 67% graduate from Per Scholas with at least one certification. Akida credits her success in the program to the support of her instructors and colleagues Read the Story In Boston 75% of Per Scholas participants who shared their race/ethnicity in 2021-22 were people of color Read the Story Per Scholas graduates are changing the tech sector for the better. What Our Community is Saying “Per Scholas does an excellent job of meeting a need in our communities for well paying jobs by matching the hidden talents in those communities to the high demand in the tech industry for more IT skills.” Tom Ebling GreenLight Fund Board Member “Per Scholas provided me with tech training and also taught me how to present myself as a professional. Prior to going to this training, I sent 84 job applications without a single response. With this training, I received a job offer the day I graduated from Per Scholas.” Hector Javier Miranda Vaquer 22019 Per Scholas Boston Graduate “Per Scholas has played a major role in my career change. It is no secret how daunting it is to switch from a career you’ve led so well for years only to start anew in a career you never thought yourself capable of.” Sara Peña Per Scholas Graduate and now Senior Consultant, Booz Allen Hamilton Join our work in Boston We rely on champions and supporters who believe in the power and potential of community-driven change. Follow Us GreenLight Fund Boston Get In Touch
