Latest news with #PerScholas
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas Awards $7.3M In Grants For Workforce Training
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday the distribution of over $7.3 million in workforce training grants to 22 programs statewide. The funding aims to address skill gaps in healthcare, technology, and trades across Texas communities. The Texas Talent Connection grants represent the state's continued investment in workforce development amid economic expansion. Since 2015, the program has awarded over $57 million to training initiatives. 'Texas leads the nation in job creation thanks to the Best Business Climate in America and our skilled, growing workforce,' said Gov. Abbott. 'To continue to meet workforce demands in an expanding economy, Texas is connecting more Texans to the skills training needed for the better job and bigger paycheck opportunities we provide.' The competitive grants target programs that boost job placement, wages, and retention. Special focus is given to opportunity youth — those aged 16 to 24 who are not engaged in education or employment. Healthcare training dominates the funding landscape. Alliance of Community Assistance Ministries received $350,000 to train medical assistants, dental assistants, and certified nursing assistants across six counties, including Harris and Fort Bend. Houston's Capital IDEA secured $350,000 for its third year of nursing and technology training. The program serves unemployed and underemployed adults across nine counties in the greater Houston area. Technology initiatives also received significant backing. Per Scholas secured $350,000 to continue providing tuition-free IT training for help desk analysts and network engineers in major Texas metropolitan areas. Texas Premier Technology Institute Tech University received $278,000 for rapid training in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and IT support. The program targets veterans and disadvantaged youth in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Rural communities weren't overlooked in the funding distribution. The Smithville Workforce Training Center secured $331,744 to pilot a culinary and hospitality program that integrates apprenticeships in Bastrop and Fayette counties. The Rural Capital Area Workforce Development Board received $296,340 for pre-nursing education. The program creates pathways to licensed vocational, registered, and bachelor's degrees in nursing across nine rural counties. Several programs specifically target opportunity youth populations. American YouthWorks received $350,000 for pre-apprenticeship training in construction trades across Central Texas counties. Restore Education secured funding for paid work experiences in bookkeeping, pharmacy tech, and commercial driving. The program serves foster youth and justice-involved youth in the San Antonio region. Transportation and logistics training received substantial support. Texas State Technical College obtained $348,074 for commercial driver license training in the Waco area. Lamar State College Port Arthur received $350,000 for transportation and construction training. The program specifically targets minority and underserved students in Southeast Texas. The grants are funded by Wagner-Peyser 7(b) federal funds, allocated by the U.S. Department of Labor. The Texas Workforce Investment Council oversees the competitive grant process for the Governor's office. Abbott emphasized the partnership between the state government and community organizations. 'Together with our community partners and entrepreneurs, we will build an even stronger Texas workforce of tomorrow,' he said. The funding reflects Texas's economic priorities in expanding sectors. Healthcare, technology, transportation, and skilled trades are the primary recipients of grant allocations across both urban and rural communities.
Technical.ly
01-07-2025
- Business
- Technical.ly
Tech training program Per Scholas to open North Philly location after 5 years in the city
Power Moves is a recurring series where we chart the comings and goings of talent across the region. Got a new hire, gig or promotion? Email us at philly@ Tech education is in the spotlight this month with new classes and top awards. Workforce development org Per Scholas will expand its Philly offerings and computer science educators in the region received recognition for their work. PACT also honored leaders at its annual Enterprise Awards, acknowledging the accomplishments of tech and life sciences companies in the region. Check out all the details and more power moves below the chart, where we look at the top 10 desirable skills for jobs right now and how many job postings request each skill. Per Scholas to open a North Philly campus Tech workforce development program Per Scholas celebrated five years in Philadelphia, announcing at its May anniversary event that it would open a satellite campus in North Philly in November. Per Scholas is partnering with OIC Philadelphia, a local workforce development org, which already provides career and financial services at its North Broad Street location, said Joshua Park, managing director of Per Scholas Philadelphia. 'We have this opportunity now to go join [OIC Philadelphia] and be their tech training partner,' Park told 'Their doors are open to that community. They're trusted in that community.' With a dedicated classroom and teaching assistant, Per Scholas plans to offer IT support training at the satellite campus. Students will be in a hybrid class with the main campus in Center City. Computer science's top teachers of 2025 CS4Philly named Raheem Chowdhury and Maureen Brown as the winners of this year's Computer Science Teacher Awards. Chowdhury won the Early Achievement Award. For the last three years, he has been leading a computer science career pathway program at Olney High School. A School District of Philadelphia graduate himself, Chowdhury told there weren't many computer science opportunities when he went through the school system. Now, he thinks students recognize the importance of technology in education, he said. 'We have students who want to learn it. They're curious. They want to build opportunities for their future,' he said. 'Everyone on my team is really supportive of our goal of getting as many kiddos into computer science classes as we can so that we can help create a more diverse technical workforce afterwards.' Brown won the Sustained Impact Award, recognizing her decades of service as an educator. After teaching digital literacy at the elementary level for her first 20 years, Brown moved into the role of instructional technology integration specialist in the district's Office of Educational Technology, where she coaches teachers and students about using technology. With a total of 36 years working in the school district, Brown has seen everything from the first iterations of computer labs to the evolution of students playing with robots, she said. 'We've gone from being an end user to a developer,' Brown said. 'It's not just about using something that somebody else invented, now. Kids are making their own apps. Kids are coding. Kids are using all these different tools to produce and not just consume. So it's really come full circle.' PACT celebrates annual Enterprise Awards The Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies (PACT) hosted its 32nd annual Enterprise Awards in May, recognizing top life sciences, healthcare and technology companies in the region. BioAnalysis, Integrated Reality Labs, Ghost Robotics, NeuroFlow, Spirovant Sciences and Boomi all took home awards. Plus, FS Investments' Michael Forman was recognized with the Legend Enterprise Award for Lifetime Achievement. 'These winners represent the bold ideas, resilient leadership, and groundbreaking innovation that define the Philadelphia region,' said Dean Miller, CEO of PACT. 'The Enterprise Awards continue to spotlight the visionaries who are building the future of our economy and transforming industries.' Startup power moves: The University City Science Center announced its eighth cohort of the Capital Readiness program. Ten companies from across the country participated in a weeklong bootcamp in Philadelphia, meeting with investors and other healthtech stakeholders. Fintech startup AIlocations rebranded to New Issue IQ. The 2025 RealLIST Startup honoree developed a platform that collects data to help investors make decisions. Florida-based healthtech company PaceMate appointed Philly-based JR Finkelmeier as its next CEO. Finkelmeier was previously the company's chief commercial officer. PACT welcomed Tori Chamberlain as its new membership coordinator and Ayannah Kamryn as its new manager of signature events. King of Prussia-based electric vehicle charging company InductEV is expanding its partnership with Sweden-based Business Region Gothenburg and Svenska Mässan Gothia Towers. After a three-year pilot, InductEV's charging stations will become permanent and more will be installed in the region. Ernst & Young selected ZeroEyes CEO and co-founder Mike Lahiff as the 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year in the Greater Philadelphia region. Academic power moves: University College at Temple University is partnering with Ziplines Education to offer online certificate programs for digital marketing, business analytics, product management, Salesforce administration, AI prompting and advanced AI workflows. Montgomery County Community College won Innovation of the Year from the international org League for Innovation in the Community College for its Virtual Reality for Public Speaking Skills project. Lifeguarding game Boast Guards won Drexel University's College of Computing and Informatics senior project showcase. University of Pennsylvania researchers Carl June and Bruce Levine won the 2025 Richard N. Merkin Prize in Biomedical Technology along with Isabelle Rivière and Michel Sadelain for their work developing CAR T-cell therapy. More power moves: Biomedical research center the Wistar Institute selected six biotechnology students from Montgomery County Community College to attend its biomedical technician training program this summer. The three-part program involves two weeks of training, five weeks in an academic research lab and five weeks in an industry lab. Also, Joshua Friedman joined the Board of Trustees at the Wistar Institute. Friedman is the senior vice president of clinical development at Massachusetts-based Spyre Therapeutics. The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia appointed Bill Wafford to its Economic and Community Advisory Council. Wafford is the chief administrative officer and chief financial officer of QVC Group. Panas Kollas, CEO of Wilmington-based public benefit corporation UNISCRAP, is a 2025 Philadelphia Titan 100 honoree. This list recognizes accomplished CEOs and executives in the region. The Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia announced this year's Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia, a list of local, 'community-minded' employers. Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Bentley Systems and GSK are among this year's honorees. Martin Snyder, a former RealLIST Engineer, started a new position as president of data science software at Certara.
New York Post
24-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Cyberattacks reshape hiring priorities for tech executives
America's tech executives say cybersecurity threats are the biggest challenge businesses will face in the next 10 years, according to new research — and it's affecting their hiring approach. A recent survey examined the business forecasts of 1,000 C-Suite executives in cybersecurity or data center roles and revealed that nearly two-thirds (64%) view data breaches and ransomware attacks as the most significant threat for companies over the next decade. 7 A survey examined executives in cybersecurity and revealed that nearly two-thirds view data breaches and ransomware attacks as the most significant threat for companies. NicoElNino – In fact, more than half (56%) of companies have already defended against a hacking attempt, 43% have experienced a data breach and 14% have fallen victim to a successful hack. Given recent high-profile hacks, security breaches and the ever-growing need for cyber vigilance, it's no surprise that 53% of executives see cybersecurity skills as the most in-demand for their future talent pipelines–especially since 43% 'often' seek to hire entry-level talent. Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Per Scholas, the results found that adaptability and problem-solving (52%) as well as digital and technical skills (38%) also ranked among the top three most sought-after skillsets. Additionally, a notable 42% placed an emphasis specifically on understanding and developing AI. 7 More than half of companies have already defended against a hacking attempt, 43% have experienced a data breach and 14% have fallen victim to a successful hack. SWNS / Per Scholas As the AI landscape continues to evolve rapidly, another 48% of business leaders said that integrating AI and other emerging technologies is a top challenge, while 35% pointed to the growing rules and regulations surrounding AI, rounding out the three biggest challenges ahead. However, adapting to these challenges is also front of mind for these leaders, as nearly all (95%) say that increased awareness and use of AI has an impact on how they store data. A further 87% even believe that AI played an integral role and changed which challenges their business will face. The survey also looked at the perspective of employees working in tech and found that of the 1,000 polled, only 48% believe that their company is 'very prepared' to prevent cybersecurity attacks. 7 As the AI landscape continues to evolve rapidly, another 48% of business leaders said that integrating AI and other emerging technologies is a top challenge. insta_photos – Moreover, only about half of the employees surveyed (51%) are 'very aware' of their company's cybersecurity efforts. The good news? If given the opportunity, 88% said they would participate in additional training — with the average respondent willing to invest just under two hours per week, or 7.1 hours per month. Still, 81% actively take steps to help protect sensitive data, such as keeping software and systems updated (73%), using two or multi-factor authentication (65%) and regularly backing up their data (56%). But that doesn't mean they're without concerns when handling this sensitive data. 7 81% actively take steps to help protect sensitive data, such as keeping software and systems updated (73%). SWNS / Per Scholas Phishing attempts (52%), external threats like outside parties gaining access (42%) and lack of encryption or security measures overall (41%) remain top of mind. Adding to those concerns, only 45% of employees are 'very aware' of where sensitive data is stored within their company. 'AI is finding its way into everything from day-to-day workloads to big-picture strategy, yet cybersecurity concerns remain front and center in the AI economy,' said Brittany Murrey, Executive Vice President, Talent Solutions at Per Scholas. 'Our research suggests employees are ready and willing to upskill in order to protect sensitive data, which is a crucial step. By offering comprehensive training and staying ahead of evolving threats, businesses can embrace AI innovations without sacrificing security.' 7 Only 45% of employees are 'very aware' of where sensitive data is stored within their company. Art_Photo – Data centers–facilities where servers and networking equipment are stored and distributed on a large scale–have become essential for businesses managing vast amounts of customers and client data. It's no surprise that they're booming across the globe. Nearly all (95%) business executives and 89% of employees believe they'll only become more integral to a growing economy. As AI takes a more central role in daily life, 66% of all respondents see it as the primary driver of growth in the data center industry. Despite this foresight, just over half (57%) of C-Suite leaders and only 37% of employees feel 'very confident' that the industry will be able to keep up with the rising demand for data centers over the next five years. 7 66% of all respondents see AI as the primary driver of growth in the data center industry. SWNS / Per Scholas Both decision makers and workers agree that technical cybersecurity skills (82%) are crucial for data center professionals, while essential professional development skills like problem-solving (79%) and communication (61%) are also in high demand. As organizations scale to meet this growing demand, they face challenges such as 'recruiting and retaining talent,' 'changes in regulatory compliance' and 'upskilling current talent.' 7 Just over half of C-Suite leaders and feel 'very confident' that the industry will be able to keep up with the rising demand for data centers. StratfordProductions – 'Data centers have become the backbone of our increasingly digital economy, delivering the capacity and infrastructure that modern businesses rely on,' said Murrey. 'There's still a belief that only large enterprises need robust cybersecurity measures, but in reality, every organization — big or small — faces risks. Strengthening security practices, investing in the right talent, and building reliable data infrastructure will help ensure sustainable growth for everyone in this connected landscape.' Survey methodology: Talker Research surveyed 1,000 U.S. C-Suite and Direct Managers in Cyber Security and Data Center roles and 1,000 employed Americans working in tech; the survey was commissioned by Per Scholas and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Feb. 26 and March 5, 2025.
Miami Herald
24-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Cyberattacks top list of concerns for US tech executives
America's tech executives say cybersecurity threats are the biggest challenge businesses will face in the next 10 years, according to new research - and it's affecting their hiring approach. A recent survey examined the business forecasts of 1,000 C-Suite executives in cybersecurity or data center roles and revealed that nearly two-thirds (64%) view data breaches and ransomware attacks as the most significant threat for companies over the next decade. In fact, more than half (56%) of companies have already defended against a hacking attempt, 43% have experienced a data breach and 14% have fallen victim to a successful hack. Given recent high-profile hacks, security breaches and the ever-growing need for cyber vigilance, it's no surprise that 53% of executives see cybersecurity skills as the most in-demand for their future talent pipelines–especially since 43% "often" seek to hire entry-level talent. Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Per Scholas, the results found that adaptability and problem-solving (52%) as well as digital and technical skills (38%) also ranked among the top three most sought-after skillsets. Additionally, a notable 42% placed an emphasis specifically on understanding and developing AI. As the AI landscape continues to evolve rapidly, another 48% of business leaders said that integrating AI and other emerging technologies is a top challenge, while 35% pointed to the growing rules and regulations surrounding AI, rounding out the three biggest challenges ahead. However, adapting to these challenges is also front of mind for these leaders, as nearly all (95%) say that increased awareness and use of AI has an impact on how they store data. A further 87% even believe that AI played an integral role and changed which challenges their business will face. The survey also looked at the perspective of employees working in tech and found that of the 1,000 polled, only 48% believe that their company is "very prepared" to prevent cybersecurity attacks. Moreover, only about half of the employees surveyed (51%) are "very aware" of their company's cybersecurity efforts. The good news? If given the opportunity, 88% said they would participate in additional training - with the average respondent willing to invest just under two hours per week, or 7.1 hours per month. Still, 81% actively take steps to help protect sensitive data, such as keeping software and systems updated (73%), using two or multi-factor authentication (65%) and regularly backing up their data (56%). But that doesn't mean they're without concerns when handling this sensitive data. Phishing attempts (52%), external threats like outside parties gaining access (42%) and lack of encryption or security measures overall (41%) remain top of mind. Adding to those concerns, only 45% of employees are "very aware" of where sensitive data is stored within their company. "AI is finding its way into everything from day-to-day workloads to big-picture strategy, yet cybersecurity concerns remain front and center in the AI economy," said Brittany Murrey, Executive Vice President, Talent Solutions at Per Scholas. "Our research suggests employees are ready and willing to upskill in order to protect sensitive data, which is a crucial step. By offering comprehensive training and staying ahead of evolving threats, businesses can embrace AI innovations without sacrificing security." Data centers–facilities where servers and networking equipment are stored and distributed on a large scale–have become essential for businesses managing vast amounts of customers and client data. It's no surprise that they're booming across the globe. Nearly all (95%) business executives and 89% of employees believe they'll only become more integral to a growing economy. As AI takes a more central role in daily life, 66% of all respondents see it as the primary driver of growth in the data center industry. Despite this foresight, just over half (57%) of C-Suite leaders and only 37% of employees feel "very confident" that the industry will be able to keep up with the rising demand for data centers over the next five years. Both decision makers and workers agree that technical cybersecurity skills (82%) are crucial for data center professionals, while essential professional development skills like problem-solving (79%) and communication (61%) are also in high demand. As organizations scale to meet this growing demand, they face challenges such as "recruiting and retaining talent," "changes in regulatory compliance" and "upskilling current talent." "Data centers have become the backbone of our increasingly digital economy, delivering the capacity and infrastructure that modern businesses rely on," said Murrey. "There's still a belief that only large enterprises need robust cybersecurity measures, but in reality, every organization - big or small - faces risks. Strengthening security practices, investing in the right talent, and building reliable data infrastructure will help ensure sustainable growth for everyone in this connected landscape." Survey methodology: Talker Research surveyed 1,000 U.S. C-Suite and Direct Managers in Cyber Security and Data Center roles and 1,000 employed Americans working in tech; the survey was commissioned by Per Scholas and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Feb. 26 and March 5, 2025. We are sourcing from a non-probability frame and the two main sources we use are: Traditional online access panels - where respondents opt-in to take part in online market research for an incentiveProgrammatic - where respondents are online and are given the option to take part in a survey to receive a virtual incentive usually related to the online activity they are engaging in Those who did not fit the specified sample were terminated from the survey. As the survey is fielded, dynamic online sampling is used, adjusting targeting to achieve the quotas specified as part of the sampling plan. Regardless of which sources a respondent came from, they were directed to an Online Survey, where the survey was conducted in English; a link to the questionnaire can be shared upon request. Respondents were awarded points for completing the survey. These points have a small cash-equivalent monetary value. Cells are only reported on for analysis if they have a minimum of 80 respondents, and statistical significance is calculated at the 95% level. Data is not weighted, but quotas and other parameters are put in place to reach the desired sample. Interviews are excluded from the final analysis if they failed quality-checking measures. This includes: Speeders: Respondents who complete the survey in a time that is quicker than one-third of the median length of interview are disqualified as speedersOpen ends: All verbatim responses (full open-ended questions as well as other please specify options) are checked for inappropriate or irrelevant textBots: Captcha is enabled on surveys, which allows the research team to identify and disqualify botsDuplicates: Survey software has "deduping" based on digital fingerprinting, which ensures nobody is allowed to take the survey more than once It is worth noting that this survey was only available to individuals with internet access, and the results may not be generalizable to those without internet access. The post Cyberattacks top list of concerns for US tech executives appeared first on Talker. Copyright Talker News. All Rights Reserved.
Technical.ly
20-02-2025
- Business
- Technical.ly
Per Scholas expands to the suburbs with new training center in Pittsburgh's Mon Valley
Residents of the Mon Valley will soon have a free tech training program right in their backyard. Per Scholas, a nonprofit organization offering free tech training, is opening a satellite campus of its downtown Pittsburgh location in Glassport Borough. Starting in July, the satellite campus will train three cohorts of 15 learners each year, offering nearby residents a better opportunity at entering the tech workforce with the overarching goal of promoting economic mobility, said Todd Derby, regional senior vice president of the Northeast for Per Scholas. It chose the Mon Valley specifically after seeing a dearth of tech training programs nearby. 'Rather than ask someone to commute into our downtown campus each and every day for training, we thought, let's bring Per Scholas to the neighborhood,' Derby told The effort is a collaboration between Per Scholas, South Allegheny School District and the Richard King Mellon Foundation, which provided a $375,000 donation last fall to make it happen. The new satellite campus' proximity to South Allegheny School District is no accident. Along with wanting to open opportunities for the whole Mon Valley community, including nearby McKeesport and Clairton, the initiative aims to create pathways for graduates of the local school district, South Allegheny Superintendent David McDonald said. 'We hope it's the first step of a game-changing pathway for our school community,' McDonald said. 'We can start to impact the area of the Mon Valley with trying to give people an opportunity to reboot their career, reboot their life and get into a high occupancy work field.' Applications are now open for those interested in Per Scholas cohorts at the Pittsburgh and Mon Valley campuses. Applicants must be 18 years old or older, possess a high school diploma or equivalent education and be authorized to work in the United States. An opportunity to 'break the cycle' in a whole new region Per Scholas has trained over 500 learners since it opened operations in Pittsburgh in early 2021, according to Derby. The organization started in the Bronx 30 years ago as a program to put computers in the hands of local students but later shifted to offering tech training for software engineering, cybersecurity, cloud and IT support. Now with locations across the country, Per Scholas' programs have had over 25,000 graduates. Along with the tech training, participants also learn about professional development, like interviewing skills, LinkedIn profiles, public speaking, leadership and salary negotiations. Students can also receive two years of continued support after the program, including access to a licensed social worker and financial coach. 'We have a lot of parents and a lot of kids that have graduated in the past that are working really, really hard and are not having the economic benefit of that hard work.' David McDonald,South Allegheny Superintendent 'Even though the program is 13 weeks long, the relationship is years,' Derby said, 'and we're committed not only to helping our graduates secure their first job in tech but perhaps their second and third job in tech, too.' Participants in the Pittsburgh Per Scholas program tend to be individuals who have traditionally been underrepresented in tech. About 90% of Per Scholas graduates are people of color and 40% are women, according to Derby. With 70% of Allegheny South students being economically disadvantaged, said McDonald, the satellite campus and other tech training initiatives present an opportunity to 'break the cycle' that McDonald often observes in the kids he works with. 'We have a lot of parents and a lot of kids that have graduated in the past that are working really, really hard and are not having the economic benefit of that hard work,' McDonald said. The program aims to place 80% of its learners in a tech job within one year of graduating from the program, and the average salary for graduates is $22 an hour, according to Derby. Since Per Scholas' programs are full-time, students are also eligible for a $3,000 interest-free loan to compensate for living expenses while studying. Tech to connect Mon Valley students to downtown The building for the satellite campus is currently undergoing renovations, Derby said. The space, which was once a tube manufacturing building, is being designed to connect students at the satellite campus to the main campus downtown. By installing television screens and other tech all over the walls, students at the satellite campus will be able to virtually attend the classes that are happening downtown while receiving help from an in-person instructor at the same time. 'Even though it's separated by many miles, it will feel as if it's just one big classroom that is joined together by TVs, cameras and microphones,' Derby said. With the opening of the new campus later this year, Per Scholas anticipates it will train 185 technologists in the Pittsburgh region annually, with the possibility of growing that number by 20% each year, according to Derby. And, hopefully, help them all land jobs that grow the local community. 'Our core identity of who we are as an organization,' Derby said, 'is removing barriers and creating opportunities for tech careers.'
