Per Scholas's Blueprint to Bridge the U.S. Tech Talent Gap

NEW YORK, NY – April 13, 2026 – As the United States grapples with a persistent and growing tech talent shortage, the national non-profit Per Scholas has unveiled a proven, scalable, and cost-effective strategy to expand access to technology careers. In a new white paper, Shared Success, the organization details its "Satellite Model," a partnership-driven approach that is already delivering high-quality training to underserved communities without the need for new brick-and-mortar campuses, heralding a potential paradigm shift in workforce development.

Since its launch in New York City in 2021, the model has expanded to eight active partnerships across five markets, demonstrating a powerful method for connecting untapped talent with the high-growth jobs that fuel the American economy.

A New Model for a National Challenge

The Satellite Model represents a strategic departure from traditional expansion. Instead of solely building new, costly physical training centers, Per Scholas partners with established community-based organizations and public agencies. Using connected classroom technology, learners at these partner sites participate in the same live, instructor-led training as their peers at a central Per Scholas campus. This "hub-and-spoke" structure combines the organization's proven curriculum and instructional excellence with the localized support, trust, and infrastructure of its partners.

This approach directly confronts common barriers that prevent individuals in underserved areas from accessing career-changing training, such as prohibitive transportation costs or a simple lack of local options.

"The Satellite Model reflects a fundamental shift in how workforce training can scale," said Caitlyn Brazill, President of Per Scholas, in the announcement. "We're not only expanding by building more campuses—we're expanding by building stronger partnerships. By combining our proven training model with the trust, infrastructure, and reach of local organizations, we're able to deliver high-quality outcomes while removing barriers that have historically kept too many people out of tech careers."

Proven Results: Quality, Access, and Efficiency

The Shared Success white paper provides compelling evidence that this innovative approach does not compromise on quality. According to the report, learners in the Satellite Model achieve outcomes that are on par with those at traditional Per Scholas campuses. This includes an impressive 85% graduation rate and an 80% job placement rate within one year of completing the program.

Perhaps most significantly, the model achieves these results with greater cost efficiency. An independent analysis conducted by the professional services firm BDO found that the Satellite Model reduces the per-learner cost from approximately $12,000 to $10,000. As the model continues to scale and refine its operations, that cost is projected to fall even further to just $7,600 per learner. This financial efficiency makes the model highly attractive for funders and government agencies seeking to maximize the impact of their workforce investments.

The model's success has garnered praise from key figures in the philanthropic community. "The Per Scholas Satellite Model shows how high-quality training can scale in reaching more learners, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, without sacrificing outcomes," noted Maryann Rainey, Senior Program Officer at Ascendium. "By building on strong partnerships and existing community infrastructure, this approach expands access to programs that lead to real economic opportunity."

Addressing a Critical Need

The urgency for solutions like the Satellite Model is underscored by national labor market data. According to CompTIA's "State of the Tech Workforce" report, U.S. tech employment is projected to grow by 3.1% in 2024 alone, adding over 300,000 net new workers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that tech occupations will expand at nearly twice the rate of the overall job market over the next decade, with high-paying roles in cybersecurity, data science, and software development leading the demand.

This sustained demand creates a significant talent gap that employers are struggling to fill. At the same time, vast pools of potential talent remain disconnected from these opportunities, often due to geographic, social, or economic barriers. Per Scholas's model directly targets this disconnect. Over half of its learners hold a high school diploma as their highest educational credential, and graduates on average earn three times their pre-training wage in their first tech role. By bringing the training to the communities, the organization creates a direct and accessible pathway into these resilient, family-sustaining careers.

The Power of Collaboration

The success of the Satellite Model is rooted in the symbiotic nature of its partnerships. Community organizations gain a world-class, no-cost tech training program to offer their constituents, enhancing their own missions. For example, early partners in New York City, such as Commonpoint Queens and the JCC of Staten Island, highlighted how the collaboration allowed them to leverage Per Scholas's expertise to meet a critical local need for career advancement. These local partners provide the physical space, community trust, and wraparound support services that are crucial for learner success, while Per Scholas provides the curriculum, instructors, and connections to its network of over 850 employer partners.

This collaborative approach strengthens the entire local workforce ecosystem. It fosters new relationships between community groups, employers, and funders, creating a more integrated and responsive system for talent development. The model is not just about training individuals; it's about building community capacity and unlocking new economic opportunities at a local level.

As it celebrates 30 years of impact, Per Scholas is charting an ambitious course for the future, with the Satellite Model as a core pillar of its strategy. The organization aims to train 25,000 technologists annually by 2030. With plans to establish three to five new satellite partnerships by the end of 2026, the model offers a replicable blueprint for other organizations, cities, and states looking to build a more inclusive and skilled workforce for the digital age.