CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Per Scholas North Carolina is a nonprofit program that's geared to help underserved communities and those looking to advance a technology-based career. The program is closing the gap within communities and helping people achieve their goals.
Chris Ham has dreamed of building a future with tech work and after graduating from Per Scholas, he was able to do it. Ham said,
"It's an opportunity for education, an opportunity to take it to the next level, without having to worry about going into debt," he told WCNC Charlotte.
Ham now has a job with Wells Fargo, one he couldn't have imagined for himself.
“I definitely had the goal of getting into the cyber security space, and I knew putting my mind to it, I would achieve it. I just never knew I would be able to go able to come as high up as I feel, as I am now," he said.
Per Scholas offers free tech training that helps advance economic opportunity and mobility. Michael Terrell, the senior managing director with Per Scholas North Carolina, said getting a good look at where the need is greatest helps them figure out where to show up and offer a hand.
"We see that in the community, right? You see folks who are going through it and they're getting these really good-paying jobs, they're getting great benefits, they're not having to be as reliant on public assistance," he said. "They're a greater benefit to the tax base -- it's not just about the individual benefit, but it's about the benefit overall to the community.”
Graduates have a clear message for those needing help.
"Dive in. You have nothing to lose. It's zero cost to you. It's structured. It's not designed for you to fail. They'll train you up," said Ham. "They'll pay for you to take your CompTIA exam. It's an incredible program."
Contact Myles Harris at mharris5@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.