Comcast will serve as a founding corporate
partner, helping Per Scholas to expand training sites and prepare
1,000 diverse learners for careers in technology through remote
training
Comcast NBCUniversal today announced a $1 million commitment to
national tech training nonprofit Per Scholas to scale its remote
operations and train 1,000 learners — 87% of whom are people of
color, 30% women, and 60% with no degree beyond high school — for
in-demand technology jobs. The partnership will enable Per Scholas
to provide tuition-free training remotely to diverse talent in 10
U.S. markets, with programs in IT support, software engineering,
cybersecurity, and cloud support.
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At a time when millions of Americans have been laid off or
furloughed due to COVID-related circumstances, this partnership
with Comcast will help Per Scholas keep up with growing demand for
its programs and train individuals for promising careers in
technology. In addition to a comprehensive, market-driven
curriculum, learners from Atlanta, Baltimore, Greater Boston,
Chicago, Denver, Detroit, the National Capital Region, Newark,
Philadelphia, and New York will also receive career support
services, financial coaching, technology toolkits, and networking
opportunities with a variety of Fortune 500 hiring partners.
“At Per Scholas, we know that a thriving workforce starts with
equitable access to education, which is why we’ve dedicated the
last 25 years to training diverse talent that is traditionally
underrepresented in the tech field,” said Plinio Ayala, President
and CEO of Per Scholas. “In light of COVID-19 and the accelerated
shift to remote work that we’re seeing, expanding this work is more
important than ever – and we’d be unable to do so without the help
of incredible partners like Comcast. This investment will allow us
to expand across the U.S. and adapt our training models to meet
changing employer needs. We could not be more excited to have
Comcast’s support in this essential expansion initiative.”
In addition to creating 1,000 accessible careers in technology,
Comcast NBCUniversal’s partnership will power an ambitious
expansion of Per Scholas training sites in Philadelphia and
Chicago. With Comcast as a founding champion partner in
Philadelphia, the nonprofit will be able to enroll 100 highly
skilled, tech-savvy adults to train for tech careers. In the
growing tech hub of Chicago, Comcast’s support as a founding
partner will enable Per Scholas to enroll 80 individuals to access
tech careers.
In New York, Comcast NBCUniversal will also support Per Scholas’
Tech Career Exploration program in 20 high schools throughout the
city. Through this interactive curriculum, teachers will be trained
to assist students as they explore careers in IT support, computer
networking, and cybersecurity.
“Today’s workforce training programs need to keep pace with an
economy dramatically changed by COVID-19. Per Scholas’ work to
prepare diverse learners for careers in technology has never been
more critical and we are proud to launch this significant new
partnership by supporting training centers in 10 cities, including
Philadelphia, Chicago, and New York,” said Dalila Wilson-Scott,
Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Comcast.
“By providing tuition-free training remotely to underrepresented
communities, Per Scholas shares our commitment to an equitable and
diverse tech sector, ensuring that more people have equal access to
the education and training needed to succeed.”
Comcast will also become a leading voice and sponsor for Diverse
by Design (DxD) in 2021 – a national conversation series led by Per
Scholas that focuses on increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion
in the technology workforce across the U.S. Since its launch in
2016, DxD has engaged more than 800 leaders over seven conferences.
Looking ahead, Comcast NBCUniversal employees will engage in a
variety of volunteer opportunities to foster tech careers for young
adults and adult learners.
Comcast has long been committed to addressing digital inequities
so that all Americans have the opportunity to succeed in an
increasingly digital world. Since 2011, its low-income, high-speed
broadband adoption program, Internet Essentials, has connected more
than 8 million Americans to the Internet at home. Beyond
connectivity, Comcast is also focused on providing digital skills
training to young people and to upskilling adults with the aim of
improving economic mobility. Comcast’s investment in Per Scholas is
part of the company’s multi-year $100 million commitment to fight
injustice and inequality and will help address the tech opportunity
gap across the U.S.
“My training at Per Scholas has changed the entire trajectory of
my life,” says Davida Garner, a recent Per Scholas Philadelphia
graduate. “I am now pursuing a career in IT as a technical support
analyst. In the year since I graduated from Per Scholas, I have
noticed that my professional confidence has gone up and I am able
to learn more quickly, as I have a solid foundation in IT. Where I
am now, will allow me to further my career and also pass down my
knowledge to those coming behind me.”
On average, approximately 85% of students accepted into Per
Scholas will go on to graduate, 80% of graduates will secure
employment at an average wage of at least $20 an hour, and 75% will
retain employment beyond one year in the IT field. Historically,
alumni will also make roughly three times more in their first job
after graduation than their pre-training wage.
To learn more about Per Scholas, visit perscholas.org.
About Per Scholas
Per Scholas is a national organization that has been advancing
economic mobility for 25 years. Through rigorous training,
professional development and robust employer connections, we
prepare individuals traditionally underrepresented in technology
for high-growth careers in the industry. We partner with leading
employers to build more diverse talent pools, directly connecting
our graduates to new career opportunities with leading employers,
from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. With campuses in
14 cities, Per Scholas has trained more than 12,000 individuals in
tech skills, building bridges to careers in technology. To learn
more, please visit https://perscholas.org/.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation is a global media and technology company
with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and
Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States’ largest high-speed
internet, video, and phone providers to residential customers under
the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses.
It also provides wireless and security and automation services to
residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is
global and operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks,
the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production
operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and
Universal Parks and Resorts. Sky is one of Europe's leading media
and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range
of video content through its pay television services. It also
provides communications services, including residential high-speed
internet, phone, and wireless services. Sky operates the Sky News
broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks, produces
original content, and has exclusive content rights. Visit
www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
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Media Contacts:
Brad Angevine Per Scholas bangevine@perscholas.org (914)
806-3317
Cia Williams Comcast cia_williams@comcast.com 267) 592-1065
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