The BlackRock Foundation has awarded a $1-million, two-year grant to Per Scholas North Carolina, a nationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to advancing economic mobility through building sustainable and inclusive tech talent pipelines.
The investment will expand Per Scholas’s footprint in western North Carolina, providing workforce training programs in underserved communities to fill tech job vacancies across the state.
In partnership with Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech), the program will offer boot camp-style IT training, equipping individuals with the skills needed to secure remote, high-wage tech jobs. A-B Tech will offer the training, valued at over $10,000 per course, beginning June 9, 2025 at no cost to students.
The grant addresses a significant tech workforce gap in the state. While North Carolina’s booming IT sector has seen an 18% increase in unique job postings since last year, many rural communities continue to struggle with low wages and limited job opportunities. The BlackRock Foundation’s investment will help Per Scholas bridge this gap, equipping more rural North Carolinians with the skills to access high-paying careers in a rapidly growing field.
“By supporting Per Scholas in North Carolina, we’re helping expand access to high-quality training, equipping people in underserved communities with the skills they need to thrive in the rapidly growing tech sector,” said Claire Chamberlain, President of The BlackRock Foundation. “This work aligns with our mission at The BlackRock Foundation—creating long-term opportunities for economic growth and security.”
This grant comes at a critical moment as Western North Carolina works to rebuild from the devastation of Hurricane Helene, which left more than 8,000 people unemployed. This initiative will help support the recovery by contributing to long-term economic…
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