TEKsystems and Per Scholas expand training partnership to Charlotte and Chicago to build diverse tech talent pipelines for today’s most in-demand jobs
April 7, 2020 | HANOVER, MD
Job seekers can receive tuition-free training customized to meet local job market demands
Today, full-stack technology services provider TEKsystems and national tech training nonprofit Per Scholas announced the expansion of their transformative partnership into two new cities: Charlotte and Chicago. Following the launch of successful training programs in Baltimore, Boston, Detroit and Philadelphia, the latest expansions will bring hands-on tech training to local workers in a joint effort by TEKsystems and Per Scholas to help develop strong and diverse talent pipelines across the U.S. in some of the country’s fastest growing tech hubs. Although this expansion was planned before COVID-19, access to training programs is more important than ever. Applications for the programs will open this month, and training will begin in June.
There is a growing need for skilled talent as the demands on organizations to keep pace with technology advancements are higher than ever, especially as organizations need to be agile and mobilize a digital workforce to sustain business continuity no matter the circumstance. Providing alternative methods of training, especially in underserved markets, is critical. TEKsystems and Per Scholas have been proactively addressing this issue by giving people opportunities to develop those skills and ultimately bolster the IT workforce.
Designed in partnership with TEKsystems, the Per Scholas curriculum will help students meet employer and industry demands for entry-level IT support jobs and intermediate application developer jobs in and around the Charlotte and Chicago markets, along with long-term career guidance and placement support.
Students will participate in resume and interview coaching from TEKsystems representatives during the program and will be connected to TEKsystems recruiters and incorporated into their talent pipelines for job placements at leading businesses around the cities. Once they complete the programs, students will gain access to a full suite of graduate services from Per Scholas, which provides two years of extensive alumni follow-up and support.
“At TEKsystems, we’re committed to creating significant opportunities for our people—both our internal team members and our consultants—to achieve their goals through career success, which aligns so well with our strong partnership with Per Scholas,” says Faith Johnson, vice president of human resources at TEKsystems. “We’re proud to support training programs in new cities to address the high demand for skilled IT talent from our customers and the communities we serve, giving more people access to life-changing education.”
TEKsystems’ investment will connect motivated and talented individuals with the critical skills employers are demanding across each market. Equity is a primary consideration as regional and national economies develop. Nationally, 87% of Per Scholas students are people of color, and 30% are women. Expanding this partnership will ensure that future career opportunities are accessible by all communities.
“It’s incredible to empower more people in more cities through the support of TEKsystems,” says Plinio Ayala, president and CEO of Per Scholas. “We look forward to building our Per Scholas programs with the people of Charlotte and Chicago to develop an inclusive, resourceful and job-ready workforce.”
A hiring and training partner since 2015, TEKsystems has hired more than 450 Per Scholas graduates to date, including a significant number in network support positions and full-stack Java development. Now, with customized training tracks in Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit and Philadelphia, Per Scholas will train at least 540 people for cutting-edge tech jobs by 2022.
In response to developments related to COVID-19, the trainings may be taught virtually. Applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive updates regarding in-person or remote training. To learn more, please visit https://perscholas.org/apply.
Media Contacts
For media inquiries, please contact: Kara Moran, Public Relations Manager
For program information, please contact: Alice Zients, Per Scholas Program Manager
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 fourteen cities across the country: Atlanta, GA; Baltimore, MD; Greater Boston, MA; Charlotte, NC; Chicago, IL; 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/.
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.
