Per Scholas
Per Scholas is a US nonprofit that offers free technology training to people who want to start tech careers. Founded in 1995 by John Hoyt Stookey and Lewis E. Miller, its main office is in the Bronx, New York, and it runs programs in more than 25 cities across the United States plus remote learning options. The goal is to help people move up economically by gaining in-demand tech skills, professional development, and help with job placement.
The organization partners with a wide range of employers, from startups to Fortune 1000 companies, to build pipelines of skilled workers and meet employer needs. Programs are no-cost, full-time, and cover high-demand tech fields. Curricula are created with industry partners to stay aligned with current jobs. Training is funded by corporate sponsorships, foundations, public funds, and individual donations.
By 2025, Per Scholas has trained more than 30,000 people, and graduates typically earn about three times their pre-training income in entry-level tech roles. Each campus has a local advisory board, and the national Tech Talent Solutions offers hiring pipelines, upskilling, and apprenticeships. They work with more than 1,000 employers to connect learners with jobs and support long-term workforce development.
Leadership notes: Plinio Ayala has led as CEO since 2004; Caitlyn Brazill became President in 2025 and helped triple revenue, raising over $50 million. The organization emphasizes solid outcomes: in 2023, about 4,600 learners were trained and 2,600 graduates started careers with an average first-year wage around $48,000. Over 2022–2023, more than 7,000 learners trained and graduates earned about three times their pre-training wages. In 2022, the graduation rate was 85%, with 2,100 graduates entering the workforce and generating about $108 million in first-year wages. Forbes highlighted the program’s fast, skills-focused approach: 87% of learners are people of color and more than 40% are women.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 01:24 (CET).