Since 1995, Per Scholas has been unlocking potential for individuals, employers, and communities. We prepare individuals traditionally underrepresented in technology—women, people of color, and those with at most a high school diploma—for high-growth careers in the IT industry. We partner with dynamic employer partners, from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups, to build sustainable and diverse talent pipelines. We connect graduates to careers with personal meaning, opportunities for advancement, and the wages needed to invest in their futures and that of their families. More than 20,000 individuals have gained the skills to launch high-growth tech careers. We began scaling our impact nationally nearly a decade ago and opened our Dallas campus in 2015.
Per Scholas Dallas has trained more than 1,700 individuals-nearly 90% people of color, 45% women, and one in three with high school diplomas as their highest educational attainment-connecting them to careers in tech at Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. Historically 85% of learners graduate, and 80% land jobs in tech within a year of graduation, earning an average of $21/hour.
As more and more businesses become tech-centric, the demand for tech workers is increasing rapidly. And yet employers are hard-pressed to find talent with the critical technical skills they need. At the same time, for individuals without advanced degrees, employment is often limited and compensated at less than a living wage. This gap contributes to rising income inequality, particularly among communities of color and low-to-moderate-income communities (80% or less of Area Median Income).
Per Scholas' training supports long-term career growth. We aim to assist graduates in securing sustainable employment opportunities that offer competitive compensation and benefits packages, equitable career opportunities, and inclusive environments with a great work-life balance. When sustainable careers are the goal, the results are happier families and successful communities and businesses.
Our Needs
Through its tuition-free IT job training courses, Per Scholas annually equips individuals with certifications and connects them to in-demand IT jobs in our region. In 2023, Per Scholas Dallas anticipates training more than 250 learners in IT Support, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, and AWS re/Start.
What your investment supports:
- $70 pays for the CompTIA certification textbook.
- $250 pays for the professional IT credentialing exam to certify a student.
- $1,000 supports professional development training for graduates to engage employers and secure a good job.
- $8,500 covers 15 weeks of IT career instruction for one learner.