The launch of the new Kansas City campus represents a pivotal moment
in the efforts to bridge the digital skills gap and foster economic
growth in the region; Now Accepting Applications
KANSAS
CITY, Mo., June 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/
-- National tech training nonprofit Per Scholas launches
its new campus in Kansas City,
joining Great Jobs KC, the leading workforce development program in
Kansas City, to provide holistic
information technology training and career development
opportunities. This strategic alliance marks a significant
milestone in addressing the growing demand for skilled IT
professionals in the Kansas City
region. Per Scholas Kansas City will offer its no-cost technology
skills training from its newest campus located at Offices at Park
39, 300 E 39th St., Kansas City,
MO. In addition to Great Jobs KC selecting and investing in
Per Scholas, Per Scholas Kansas City has received generous support
from Comcast NBCUniversal, Cortex, Missouri Tech First Initiative
powered by Cortex, and the NFL Foundation.
At the heart of this collaboration lies the shared commitment to
empower individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to
thrive in the ever-advancing tech industry. Per Scholas brings its
renowned approach to IT training, which integrates technical
education with professional development, including soft and hard
skills. Through this partnership, Great Jobs KC and Per Scholas
learners will undergo a comprehensive 13-week program designed to
equip them with the expertise and confidence needed to excel in the
IT field. After graduation, alumni will work with Great Jobs KC
Employer Engagement Managers as well as Per Scholas' Talent
Solutions professionals to ensure job attainment.
The Per Scholas Kansas City campus will serve as a hub for
innovative learning and career advancement, and offer comprehensive
training for CompTIA A+ certification, a globally recognized
credential validating foundational IT skills, as well as Google IT
Support certification. These skills and certifications will
position alumni for success in the rapidly expanding Kansas City tech sector.
Per Scholas President and CEO Plinio
Ayala expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating,
"We are excited to expand our reach to Kansas City through this partnership with
Great Jobs KC. By combining our expertise in IT training with their
proven track record of workforce development, we are poised to make
a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and the economic
vitality of the region. We are grateful for their investment and
the support of Missouri Tech First, Cortex, the NFL Foundation, and
Comcast NBCUniversal."
"Per Scholas' new Kansas City
campus is an exciting development for the region's workforce," said
Governor Mike Parson. "This
initiative is another example of the collaborative partnerships
that are investing in our communities and state's economy. By
equipping Missourians with skills needed for high-tech jobs, Per
Scholas is helping pave the way for a stronger workforce, more
resilient economy, and prosperous future."
"Per Scholas is providing cutting-edge training that's helping
Missourians prosper by preparing them for jobs in the technology
industry," said Michelle Hataway,
Director of the Department of Economic Development. "We're grateful
for the efforts of this organization as it opens doors for those
entering the workforce or sharpening their skills in the
Kansas City region."
Per Scholas Kansas City's inaugural cohort launched in May,
beginning with its best-in-class IT Support course.
Applications are open, and interested individuals can learn more
and apply here for upcoming cohorts. Prospective learners must
be at least 18 years or older, possess at least a high school
diploma, authorized to work in the U.S., have a passion for
technology, and have availability to be placed in a tech role
following completion of the training.
Per Scholas unlocks potential for individuals, communities, and
companies by offering rigorous, 12- to 15-week tech skills training
and connecting Per Scholas graduates to high-growth careers in
technology. Per Scholas Kansas City is the nonprofit's second
campus in Missouri, with outreach
including Kansas, joining Per
Scholas St. Louis, which has been training technologists in a
variety of tech skills since the Cortex Innovation District brought
the organization to St. Louis in
2022.
"We frequently hear from companies we grow and companies we
recruit that the most important asset in a tech economy is talent,"
said Sam Fiorello, President &
CEO, Cortex. "Per Scholas is a model that proves that there are
many paths beyond a four-year degree from a college or university
for preparing someone for a successful tech career. We are proud to
expand this training asset beyond the St.
Louis region through our Missouri Tech First, powered by
Cortex, initiative."
"Equipping Missourians with the most in-demand skills and
industry-informed training to navigate current and future
opportunities is a business imperative as much as it is just," said
Kieran Blanks, VP of Workforce
Systems at Cortex, which is spearheading the $7 million Missouri Tech First Initiative. "By
strategically investing in our workforce and cultivating
innovation, we are positioning Missouri as a national frontrunner in the
digital economy, enticing companies seeking elite tech talent."
Aligned with its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and
belonging, 85 percent of Per Scholas learners are people of color,
more than 40 percent identify as women, and more than half have a
high school diploma as their highest education credential. Per
Scholas graduates are hired into tech roles by more than 850
employer partners nationwide, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to
innovative startups. The Per Scholas model is proven and
evidence-based. Per Scholas trained technologists go on to earn
three times their pre-training wage in their first job following
graduation. Plus, every dollar invested in Per Scholas results in
an $8 net economic return.
"We are thrilled to join forces with Per Scholas to bring their
transformative IT training program to Kansas City," said Jimmy Swift, Great Jobs KC Chief Program
Officer. "This partnership represents a significant investment in
the future of our workforce, providing individuals with the
opportunity to gain valuable skills and pursue fulfilling careers
in the thriving tech industry."
"Per Scholas expansion into Kansas
City will undoubtedly help build a diverse and thriving
workforce by providing access to skills training for in-demand tech
careers," said Dalila Wilson-Scott,
Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer of Comcast
Corporation and President of the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation.
"Through Project UP, Comcast's $1
billion commitment to advance digital equity and economic
mobility, we're thrilled to partner with Per Scholas in their
ongoing work to connect future technologists with leading
businesses. We look forward to what we will continue to achieve
together."
"The NFL is proud to support the launch of Per Scholas'
Kansas City campus as they
continue to break barriers and create positive social change," said
NFL Vice President, Social Responsibility Clare Graff. "Through Per
Scholas' no-cost tech training, individuals, particularly people of
color, are empowered to enter the tech industry and launch thriving
careers - a mission that aligns with the NFL's commitment to create
a more equitable society through our Inspire Change social justice
initiative."
To learn more about Great Jobs KC, click here. To learn
more about Per Scholas Kansas City, click here, and follow Per
Scholas Kansas City on LinkedIn and Facebook.
About Per Scholas
For nearly 30 years, Per Scholas has been on a mission to drive
equity and opportunity in the ever-advancing technology landscape
by unlocking the untapped potential of individuals, uplifting
communities, and meeting the needs of employers through rigorous
tech training. By teaming up with dynamic employer partners,
ranging from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups, we're
forging inclusive tech talent pipelines, fulfilling an
ever-increasing need for skilled talent. With national remote
training and campuses in 20+ cities and counting, Per Scholas
offers no-cost training programs in the most sought-after tech
skills, spanning Cloud, Cybersecurity, Data Engineering, IT
Support, Software Engineering, and more. To date, 25,000+
individuals have been trained through Per Scholas, propelling their
professional trajectories into high-growth tech careers with
salaries three times higher than their pre-training earnings. At
Per Scholas, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging aren't
just buzzwords—they're in our DNA. 85+ percent of our learners are
people of color, two in five are women, and more than half hold a
high school diploma as their highest educational credential. Learn
more by visiting PerScholas.org and follow us on
LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram,
and YouTube.
About Comcast NBCUniversal
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and
technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide,
to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach
hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide.
We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through
Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream
leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including
NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible
theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations
& Experiences.
About Cortex
Cortex is a vibrant space serving as an inclusive economic
engine for St. Louis. Cortex
creates equitable economic impacts by leveraging high-quality
facilities, developing programs that build knowledge and networks,
and convening strategic partnerships that attract and support
emerging and established companies. Founded in 2002 through a
collaboration of Washington University
in St. Louis, BJC HealthCare, the
University of Missouri – St. Louis, Saint Louis
University, and the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Cortex
Innovation Community (CortexSTL.org) is an internationally
recognized hub of innovation and entrepreneurship that is focused
on accelerating inclusive economic growth in St. Louis.
About NFL Inspire Change
Inspire Change is the NFL's year-round social justice initiative
aimed at reducing barriers to opportunity, particularly in
communities of color, and showcasing how the collective NFL family
is working to create positive change in communities across the
country. Since the inception of Inspire Change, the NFL has
provided more than $375 million to
dozens of national grant partners and hundreds of grassroots
organizations to advance social justice causes across the four
pillars of the initiative: education, economic advancement,
police-community relations, and criminal justice reform. To learn
more about Inspire Change, please
visit www.nfl.com/inspirechange. Follow @InspireChange on
X/Twitter and Instagram. On Facebook, follow
www.facebook.com/inspirechange. To view the Inspire Change Impact
Report click here.
About Great Jobs KC
Great Jobs KC is a Kansas
City-based nonprofit that provides access to college
scholarships and tuition-free job training, along with job
placement assistance for individuals from low- and modest-income
families in the metropolitan area, providing a pipeline of talent
for a strong regional workforce. Please join us on our mission for
economic independence for all. For more information,
visit www.greatjobskc.org.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/per-scholas-expands-tech-training-to-kansas-city-302182296.html
SOURCE Per Scholas