Per Scholas: Bridging the Technology Gap

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Per Scholas: Bridging the Technology Gap
written by Jessica Roake
Tech News Staff Writer

Housed within a former factory in the poorest Congressional District in America, the Per Scholas program has been bridging the technology gap from its unassuming South Bronx campus since 1995. And though the one time bank note factory is cavernous, Per Scholas needs all the space it can get. Inside Per Scholas headquarters future computer technicians take A+ certification courses and gain hands-on training in classrooms and on the production floor; donated computers are data wiped and reassembled by program graduates; and rebuilt computers are packaged for affordable resale in the community and across the country.

A+ plus
The Per Scholas A+ certification class runs for 15 weeks, and is a uniquely rigorous program. In order to attend Per Scholas, which is free, applicants must have earned a high school diploma or GED, pass a general skills test, and interview with three program instructors and administrators. Once accepted, students at Per Scholas attend classes from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm five days a week, and any student who misses more than two classes is asked to leave. Through their strict attendance policies, Per Scholas aims to instill a work-ethic that trains students to be responsible and dependable employees.

"I have no fear," says Felix. "I can really learn on these computers; I can take them apart and put them together. In two years, I want to be one of the alumni coming back here to inspire the students."

Per Scholas' demanding curriculum includes an optional four week internship, hands-on hardware training, and a life-skills component. In addition to helping students prepare effective resumes, Per Scholas instructors and the three job developers on staff cover how to speak, dress, and present in a corporate environment.

Unlike other A+ certification programs, Per Scholas considers the employment of graduates its primary goal. "This is a jobs program, not a training program," says Michelle Pullaro of Per Scholas. "The students really need to want an IT career. Our students know it's all about the application of the skills they're learning. It's hands-on training, trouble shooting. Our students are learning by doing. Some people in other programs can pass the test, but then they can't talk about the technology in interviews. Our graduates can, and that's reflected in our job placement rate, and the fact that companies like Time Warner hold a certain number of positions for our graduates. They know Per Scholas graduates really understand the technology. Eighty-two percent of the students graduate, and 84% are placed as technicians."

Felix, a student, was late to his first interview at Per Scholas, and had to work hard to overcome his early misstep. Felix was initially annoyed by how seriously his tardiness was taken, but then he realized, "They're not letting just anybody in. I've been to places where they're all about themselves. At Per Scholas, they're driven to help. They're very serious about the process to get in here, but they're very serious about what they're going to do for you. They're not here to play games. So when I got in, I decided to treat it like it was the first day of my job. This is work, this is my job. I've never been late, and I've never missed a day."

Per Scholas graduate Felix (left) with Technical Instructor Frank (right)

Like 70 to 80 percent of their student population, Felix is from the Bronx, and as with many of his peers, he learned about Per Scholas from a community center, the Citizens Advice Bureau (he still has the flier!). Per Scholas partners with other nonprofits to identify community populations who could benefit from the program. There are about two hundred students in each Per Scholas course cycle, and construction is underway to expand classrooms and gain accreditation. Though ages range from 18 to 55, students are generally in their early thirties, and 90% are from minority populations. Up to 30% have some higher education, and most have an interest in and some experience with computers.

Felix had been working in the garment district for the better part of 10 years, and was interested in transitioning into a more fulfilling career. The cost for college was prohibitively high, and at the age of thirty and on welfare, he was wary of further debts. Though he didn't have his GED, when he researched Per Scholas-- "it sounded too good to be true, and it was free!"-- he became determined to attend.

"I concentrated on studying for my GED. As soon as I got it I ran over here, because I really wanted to be here. I thought I knew a lot about computers, but they blew me away. It's such a good environment. They stress team work, and everybody works as a group. In the first week you build a computer as a group. A week later you take home your own PC to work on at home."

On a typical day at Per Scholas, a class of students grouped around individual monitors to work on the Windows 2000 server, focusing on the file server, print server, DNS, DHCP, connecting the client to the domain, and setting up the Active Directory.

Paula, who is in her eighth week of the course, plans to get her A+ certification and her network plus before moving on to get her degree. "It's excellent. It's the best program I could ever imagine. It's a hands on experience, and totally rewarding. It's not just books; you're physically working with hardware, software, and the ins and outs of computers."

While students like Paula plan to continue their studies, Felix has already started interviewing for jobs. "The bottom line is to get a job," says Felix. "The certification is nice, but they help you with both. Before, I felt hopeless. I didn't want to take any old dead-end job and be stuck. I wanted to get into computers. The job developer here always has an ear for you; she's ready and willing to help."

The job developers at Per Scholas set up an interview for Felix with Time Warner, which offers their employees an immediate entry into the union and quick opportunities for advancement. Having already passed the first portion of the A+ certification test, Felix is looking forward to his career as a computer technician.

"I have no fear," says Felix. "I can really learn on these computers; I can take them apart and put them together. In two years, I want to be one of the alumni coming back here to inspire the students."

Per Scholas Provides Affordable Technology to Families
In addition to its expanding education program, Per Scholas recycles and sells computers-- all outfitted with Pentium 3 processors, 17 inch screens, new speakers, keyboards and mice, network cards, modems, a one year warranty, and access to a support desk-- for a low cost through community centers and directly to individuals.

Per Scholas is a full service recycler and is part of the Re-Use Alliance of NYC. The computers come from Con Ed, Estee Lauder, the IRS, and North Fork Bank, among others, and the donated machines are wiped of data before being resold. A $1.2 million dollar machine is employed to shred monitors, plastic, and metals. The machine crunches monitors and the glass goes to smelters, ensuring that the glass is separated from the lead. There's a downstream method for it all: none of the old computer parts go into a landfill.

The Department of Defense approved data wiping process is state of the art-- every machine is wiped three times, regardless of its history. If the data is inaccessible, the computer is pulverized. Monitors are tested and cleaned so that there is no tie-back. Re-imaging and hardware installation are, like all aspects of the production process, handled by Per Scholas interns or technicians hired from the graduate pool.

Per Scholas is a full service recycler and is part of the Re-Use Alliance of NYC.

How to Reach Per Scholas
Training: Linda Lopez, 718-772-0625
Recycling: Mike Capobianco, 718-772-0655
ACCESS: Damian Howard, 718-772-0654 (Computers)
Toll Free: 1-800-877-4068

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