The launch of the new Buffalo campus represents a pivotal moment in
the efforts to bridge the digital skills gap and foster economic
growth in the community;
Per Scholas Buffalo is now
accepting applications for IT Support course
BUFFALO,
N.Y., Aug. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Per Scholas,
a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing economic mobility
through rigorous and no-cost technology training, is thrilled to
announce the launch of its new campus in Buffalo, New York. This expansion aims to
provide residents with the skills and opportunities needed to
thrive in the rapidly growing IT sector. Per Scholas will equip
individuals with the expertise required to secure high-paying,
sustainable careers in the rapidly growing technology industry in
Buffalo. Per Scholas Buffalo will
serve as a hub for innovative learning and career advancement from
its newest campus located in historic Larkinville. Per
Scholas' tuition-free tech training is now available to local
residents thanks to support from Empire State Development via a
$1 million New York State Office of Strategic Workforce
Pay for Performance (P4P) operating grant, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.
Foundation, Amazon, the NFL Foundation, and Highmark Blue Cross
Blue Shield.
Applications are now open for Buffalo residents looking to access technology
careers and potentially triple their salaries through Per Scholas'
proven model. The inaugural 13-week, full-time IT Support course
cohort, which will begin mid-October, combines technical skills and
business professional development, leading to industry-recognized
credentials like CompTIA A+ and Google IT Support
certifications.
Providing pathways for alumni with diverse backgrounds for
successful careers in tech, this rigorous IT Support course equips
aspiring technologists with the knowledge and skills for a wide
range of entry-level tech careers across Per Scholas' network of
employer partners ranging from Fortune 500 companies to innovative
startups. As the third Per Scholas campus to open in New York, the proven model continues to unlock
potential for individuals, communities, and companies throughout
the state. In fact, every dollar invested in Per Scholas has
resulted in an $8 net economic
return.
"Per Scholas is thrilled to expand into Buffalo, a community full of promise and
untapped potential," said Per Scholas President & CEO
Plinio Ayala. "We're honored to have
received such a warm welcome and a rallying of support from
tremendous organizations, and humbled by the collaboration with
local experts to serve both businesses and neighborhoods seeking
opportunities for professional growth. Our goal is to make a
meaningful impact on the lives of future technologists and the
community at large."
"New York State is committed to
advancing the Buffalo communities
that have faced historical economic disinvestment, and Per Scholas'
training programs provide one way to do so," said Empire State
Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight. "Made possible in part through a
grant from the New York State
Office of Strategic Workforce Development, Per Scholas Buffalo's
landmark campus is the first campus in New York State outside the New York City metropolitan area. It provides
immediate opportunities for access to thriving tech careers,
strengthening the community in a tangible way, and will create a
brighter future for all."
"For Buffalo to continue its
path toward becoming a leader in tech, it needs to invest in
developing the workforce of tomorrow," Congressmember Tim Kennedy
said. "Efforts like that of Per Scholas are providing the
resources, training, and network necessary to expand our tech
workforce in the Western New York
region. With an emphasis on equity, Per Scholas programming will
allow more people to find rewarding work in innovative new fields
right here in Buffalo."
Assembly member Jon D. Rivera
said, "The launch of Per Scholas' new Buffalo campus represents a pivotal milestone
for Buffalo's growing tech sector
and a boon to our region's economy. Coupled with the research and
innovation soon to be produced by Governor Hochul's Empire AI
initiative, the new Per Scholas campus in Buffalo's Larkin district will equip local
workers with the experience they need in cybersecurity and software
engineering to secure great technology careers in Buffalo. We are currently seeing a rapid
growth in AI-technology and related fields; we need to ensure that
no part of the labor force is left behind. By championing
future-proof skills and talent, we can equip our workforce with the
tools and knowledge needed to thrive in an AI-driven economy."
"Per Scholas has developed an exceptionally successful model for
career development that we are excited to support. The program is
opening up new opportunities for people who are passionate about
entering the burgeoning tech field across Western New York," said Amber Slichta, Vice President of Programs and
Learning at the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. "The skills gained
through Per Scholas have the potential to fuel a lifetime career of
good-paying jobs. By matching newly skilled individuals with
employer needs, we're making a difference in the region."
"Upskilling and workforce development is a priority throughout
the nation, and even more so recently here in the Buffalo community," said Carley Graham Garcia, Head of Community Affairs
for Amazon in New York. "Amazon is
proud to partner with Per Scholas, who is empowering individuals
eager to launch a thriving career. By expanding skills training
opportunities in Buffalo, this
initiative will help more of our community tap into steady careers
attached to life-changing compensation. At the same time, we'll
build and upskill a talent pipeline that brings even greater
economic investment to Western New
York."
"The NFL's Inspire Change social justice initiative is proud to
support the launch of Per Scholas' Buffalo campus as they continue to break
barriers and create positive change, especially for people of color
in Buffalo," said NFL Vice
President, Social Responsibility Clare Graff. "With Per
Scholas, these individuals are empowered to enter the tech industry
and launch thriving careers, aligning with our mission of advancing
economic opportunities for underserved populations."
"Per Scholas' expansion into the Buffalo community is exciting and
transformative," noted Howard Zemsky
of Larkin Development. "The work that Per Scholas will do in the
Larkin District will transform the lives of the Buffalo community and local companies, and I
look forward to the economic growth their alumni will bring to this
community."
"Workforce development is a key strategy to build the regional
economy by connecting people and jobs, and fulfilling the needs of
employers seeking talent. Per Scholas' new Buffalo Campus will be a
critical partner in growing Western New
York's tech training opportunities, strengthening our
region's workforce to meet the needs of job seekers and creating a
reliable talent pipeline for industry," said Laura Quebral, CEO, Center for Regional
Strategies, an intermediary partner with the Western New York
Manufacturing and Tech Coalition.
"I am thrilled to welcome Per Scholas to Buffalo. Their proven track record in training
and developing a diverse tech workforce will benefit our community,
where there is a strong demand for skilled tech professionals,"
said Stephen Tucker, Executive
Director of the Western New York Manufacturing & Tech Workforce
Coalition. "Per Scholas is well-equipped to meet this demand by
providing high-quality training and job attainment support that
will drive economic growth and innovation in our region."
"A healthy community thrives on a strong and diverse workforce
landscape and Per Scholas is playing a vital role in building that
foundation," said Michael Ball, Vice
President of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. "By equipping
individuals with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed
in high-demand tech fields, Per Scholas is not only empowering
individuals but also strengthening our local economy. As a
community-based health plan, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is
proud to support their mission, as we share a commitment to
improving the health and well-being of our communities."
To learn more about Per Scholas Buffalo, follow them on LinkedIn
and Facebook, or visit their page.
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 Empire State Development
Empire State
Development (ESD) is New York's
chief economic development agency. The mission of ESD is to promote
a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job
and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its
municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies.
Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of
financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business
investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous
communities across New York State.
ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing the
Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of "I LOVE
NY," the State's iconic tourism brand. For more information on
Regional Councils and Empire State Development, visit
regionalcouncils.ny.gov and esd.ny.gov.
About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles:
customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for
invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term
thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth's Most Customer-Centric
Company, Earth's Best Employer, and Earth's Safest Place to Work.
Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations,
Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing,
Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa,
Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge
are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information,
visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.
About The NFL Foundation
Inspire Change is a
year-round initiative that highlights the impactful social justice
work done by NFL players, clubs, the league office, and grant
partners to break down barriers to opportunity and end systemic
racism. Since 2017, the NFL Family has provided $300 million to more than 40 national grant
partners and more than 600 grassroots organizations to advance
social justice causes in the areas of education, economic
advancement, police-community relations, and criminal justice
reform. To date, the NFL Foundation has provided more than 1,800
Inspire Change matching grants to current NFL players and Legends
for nonprofits of their choice to help reduce barriers to
opportunity. To learn more about the NFL's Inspire Change
initiative and to view the 2023 Social Justice Impact Report, visit
www.nfl.com/inspirechange. Follow @InspireChange on Twitter and
Instagram. On Facebook, follow www.facebook.com/inspirechange.
About Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is a trade name of Highmark
Western and Northeastern New York Inc., an independent licensee of
the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Since 1936, Highmark Blue
Cross Blue Shield has helped millions of people lead healthier
lives. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield offers a full range of
insured, self-insured, and government programs and services
covering businesses, families, and individuals, as well as dental
and vision plans and stop-loss coverage. Highmark Blue Cross Blue
Shield employs more than 1,400 people and serves as a key economic
driver in the region. As a community-based, not-for-profit health
plan, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield contributes significantly to
organizations that strengthen and enrich the health of the
community, including investments of more than $8 million in 2023.
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SOURCE Per Scholas