Per Scholas, a national workforce accelerator providing no-cost training for high-growth careers, has been awarded $2.7 million from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) through its Rapid Reskill Dislocated Worker Grant (Reskill DWG) program.
The award is part of $95.5 million in federal funding announced by DOL on October 19, 2026, to support 20 projects nationwide. Administered by DOL's Employment and Training Administration, the grants support innovative approaches to connecting workers affected by layoffs with training and employment services that lead to high-wage, in-demand occupations. Read the U.S. Department of Labor's announcement.
Over the next three years, Per Scholas will help dislocated workers in seven states move quickly from job loss to reemployment in advanced manufacturing, semiconductor production, data centers, and critical infrastructure. The initiative will serve hundreds of learners, connecting workers with training opportunities aligned with industries experiencing growing demand for skilled talent.
Per Scholas will deliver the grant-funded work across the following nine regions:
- Arizona: Phoenix
- Georgia: Atlanta
- Indiana: Indianapolis
- North Carolina: Charlotte
- Ohio: Cincinnati and Columbus
- Texas: Dallas, Houston, and West Texas, including the greater Abilene region
- Virginia: Northern Virginia, including the greater Washington, D.C. area
"The future of technology depends on the skilled workforce and physical infrastructure that make it possible," said Caitlyn Brazill, President and Incoming CEO of Per Scholas. "As we expand our training model to meet the evolving needs of the economy, we're preparing talent not only for the technology roles of today, but also for the industries and infrastructure powering what comes next. This investment from the U.S. Department of Labor will help us connect workers to pathways into high-growth industries while building the skilled workforce our country needs to compete and grow."
The initiative builds on Per Scholas' expanding work in infrastructure and other high-growth sectors. As demand grows for the people and skills needed to power the digital economy, Per Scholas is broadening its training portfolio beyond traditional IT roles to prepare talent for the infrastructure that supports modern industry and commerce.
Through the Reskill DWG program, Per Scholas will help dislocated workers turn their existing skills into clear pathways to in-demand jobs. Dislocated workers bring real skills, from machine operation to logistics to technical troubleshooting, that map directly to growing industries. Per Scholas will translate that experience into a clear route to work, pairing no-cost, employer-informed training with career coaching, credential preparation, and connections to hiring employers. Working closely with state and local workforce boards, employers, and community partners, Per Scholas will ensure training reflects the roles regional employers are hiring for now and helps workers rebuild momentum close to home.
"Strategic government partnerships are essential to turning workforce investments into meaningful opportunities for workers and communities," said Priya Ramanathan, Senior Vice President, Government Relations & Contracts at Per Scholas. "This award reflects the power of bringing together public agencies, workforce leaders, and community partners around a shared goal: helping workers navigate economic change and connect with the skills and careers that will shape our future. By aligning our efforts with local labor-market needs, we can build more responsive pathways into growing industries."
The Reskill DWG program builds on Per Scholas' strong partnerships with local workforce development boards, state workforce agencies, employers, and community partners, as well as the reach and expertise of its local campuses. These partnerships will help Per Scholas reach workers affected by layoffs, coordinate services, and connect participants to training and employer opportunities that reflect the needs of their local economies.
Per Scholas will also capture and share what works, creating a model that can help communities across the country more effectively connect workers to new opportunities. The goal is not simply to help workers get back to workâit is to help them move forward into careers that offer lasting opportunity while strengthening the workforce employers need to power a changing economy.
About Per Scholas
Per Scholas is a proven talent accelerator that delivers AI-enabled workforce solutions with real results, transforming lives, strengthening businesses, and building opportunity nationwide.
Since 1995, we've provided no-cost training to 35,000+ professionals in sought-after skills. Our responsive training closes hiring gaps in months, delivering day-one-ready talent. With 25+ campuses and remote programs, we partner with employers, from Fortune 500 companies to startups, to build talent pipelines in fields like Data Centers, AI, Advanced Manufacturing, Critical Facilities, Cybersecurity, and Cloud.
Learn more by visiting PerScholas.org and follow us on social media.
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