Introduction
Per Scholas is transforming the IT recruitment landscape by developing entry-level roles that serve as stepping stones to more specialized positions like cybersecurity. Through these “feeder roles,” candidates gain essential experience before advancing to higher-skilled jobs. This approach has proven successful, attracting continuous requests from companies for more similarly trained candidates.
A Partnership Model for Success
Damian Wilson of Per Scholas highlights the effectiveness of their model with testimony from the organization’s 300 employer partners. These partnerships include some of the most prominent financial institutions in New York City, which have come to value the unique preparation and skills Per Scholas graduates bring. By collaborating directly with businesses to tailor training programs, Per Scholas is meeting urgent and specific skill requirements, such as a recent program that prepared 20 individuals to become mainframe technicians for a tech company.
Fast-Tracking Careers with Tailored Education
Marie Cari’s journey through Per Scholas underscores the transformative impact of the program. As a first-generation immigrant and software engineer at Bank of America, Cari chose Per Scholas over traditional college education, avoiding significant debt and accelerating her entry into the tech industry. The program not only equipped her with technical skills but also provided ongoing professional development and financial literacy education, which continued even after graduation.
Long-Term Support and Community Building
Per Scholas maintains a strong support network that extends beyond immediate job placement, offering alumni up to two years of post-training support, including further certification and upskilling opportunities. This enduring connection builds a powerful community, as Wilson describes, facilitating ongoing career advancements and networking opportunities among alumni. This community helps sustain and expand their professional opportunities, demonstrating the lasting value of the Per Scholas network in fostering career development in the tech industry.