Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) and Per Scholas North Carolina are launching a free IT Support training initiative on February 24, 2025. Funded through a $1 million grant provided by The BlackRock Foundation, the program is designed to help bridge the technology workforce gap in North Carolina and especially in resource-poor rural areas.
Closing the Tech Workforce Gap in North Carolina
North Carolina's tech sector has been expanding at a fast rate, with unique job postings increasing 18% over the past year. Yet many rural communities continue to face stagnant opportunities and low wages. BlackRock Foundation investment seeks to fill this void by expanding Per Scholas' footprint in Western North Carolina, with workforce development programs to equip residents with the skills necessary to secure high-paying technology careers.
Per Scholas: A Promise to Economic Mobility
Since its inception in North Carolina in 2020, Per Scholas has vowed to build economic mobility through developing lasting and fair tech talent pipelines. Its partnership with A-B Tech reflects the depth of its commitment to producing lasting paths of economic opportunity and stability in the region.
A-B Tech's Contribution to the Initiative
A-B Tech is offering the IT Support training program at no charge to students. Valued in excess of $10,000 per course, the 13-week bootcamp-style training is provided 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, starting Feb. 24 and concluding on May 23, 2025. The comprehensive curriculum is designed to equip students with skills needed to acquire remote, lucrative tech jobs. Interested parties can learn more and enroll at A-B Tech's official website.
Supporting Economic Recovery Post-Hurricane Helene
This grant is also opportune because Western North Carolina continues to struggle to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Helene, leaving more than 8,000 people unemployed. The IT Support training program suggests to assist the area in its recovery process by empowering residents with a skillset adequate to access high-paying technology jobs, thus being conducive to overall economic stability.
Leadership Perspectives
Claire Chamberlain, President of The BlackRock Foundation, emphasized the mission fit of this initiative:
"By investing in Per Scholas in North Carolina, we're expanding access to high-quality training, enabling people in underserved communities to gain the skills they need to thrive in the rapidly growing tech sector."
Source: BlackRock
Deborah D. Bailey, A-B Tech Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development & Continuing Education, stressed the importance of this collaboration:"As part of our mission to bring economic opportunity to our community, we have been developing a partnership with Per Scholas for over a year. We are fortunate that the pieces of the partnership fell into place when our community needs them most."
How to Enroll
Prospective students interested in joining the IT Support training program can find out more and sign up through A-B Tech's official website. The program is open to anyone interested in reskilling and finding work in the tech industry, particularly those from underrepresented groups in Western North Carolina.
About Per Scholas
Per Scholas is a nationally recognized nonprofit committed to achieving economic mobility through challenging, free career training in the tech industry. Focused on creating equitable pathways to tech careers, Per Scholas partners with leading employers to develop employer-driven curricula that equip students with skills for high-demand tech careers. To date, Per Scholas has trained thousands of individuals, allowing them to establish successful technology careers.
About The BlackRock Foundation
The BlackRock Foundation is dedicated to creating long-term potential for economic opportunity and financial health. Through reflective philanthropic investments, the foundation invests in initiatives that create financial resilience, promote inclusive economies, and address pressing social needs. The partnership with Per Scholas North Carolina is an example of The BlackRock Foundation's commitment to empowering communities through effective, sustainable solutions.
Conclusion
The collaboration among A-B Tech, Per Scholas North Carolina, and The BlackRock Foundation is a significant step towards bridging the tech workforce gap in North Carolina. By providing low-cost, high-quality IT Support training, this initiative not only addresses the immediate needs of the tech industry but also fosters long-term economic stability and growth in communities recovering from Hurricane Helene.
For additional details and to register for the next IT Support training course, go to A-B Tech's official website.