Baltimore, MD — On September 9th, Per Scholas Baltimore proudly celebrated the graduation of its IT Help Desk class, marking another milestone in advancing equitable access to technology careers. The program, which ran from June 2 to September 9, 2025, was a 13-week journey that met daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Seventeen learners successfully graduated from the rigorous course. Along the way, many overcame imposter syndrome, confidence challenges, financial hardships, and even periods of homelessness to reach the finish line. Their resilience underscored not only the intensity of the training but also the perseverance required to seize life-changing opportunities.
The graduating class achieved exceptional results, with 100 percent of the cohort earning a GPA of 90 percent or higher and every learner completing the Job Readiness Assessment, officially confirming that they are prepared to enter the workforce. The ceremony also highlighted outstanding learners with special awards, as Daniel Ball was honored as Valedictorian, Jelani Crosby was recognized as Most Valuable Technologist, and Dana Martin received the Core Values Award. Certifications further demonstrated the rigor of the program, with more than half of the class passing CompTIA A+ Core 1. Among those who attempted Core 2, 75 percent are now fully A+ certified, with additional graduates scheduled to test in the coming weeks. Guest speaker Elijah L. Harris energized the room with his charge to the graduates to “stay hungry,” a message of perseverance and ambition that left a lasting impression on the class, their families, and community partners.
“As the Managing Director at Per Scholas Baltimore, I couldn’t be prouder as we celebrate our newest IT Support cohort,” said Camisha Beverly. “These learners have not only gained the technical skills they need but also the essential soft skills that will empower them to thrive in the workforce. Their dedication and perseverance inspire us all, and I am excited to see them embark on their professional journeys.”
Per Scholas Baltimore provides tuition-free, career-focused IT training to residents of Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. Over the course of the program, learners gain practical, hands-on skills in IT support, computer hardware and operating systems, and security practices, while preparing for industry-recognized certifications such as CompTIA A+. The program equips learners with both technical and professional readiness skills that open doors to in-demand IT support roles across the region.
The Baltimore campus is part of a national nonprofit network spanning more than 20 cities, offering tuition-free technology training to diverse talent pools often underrepresented in the tech industry. Since its founding in 1995, Per Scholas has trained more than 25,000 learners nationwide, helping graduates collectively earn hundreds of millions of dollars in wages. Partnerships with leading employers, including TEKsystems and other Fortune 500 companies, ensure graduates are well-connected to real hiring pipelines.
In Baltimore and across Maryland, the timing could not be better for these graduates to enter the workforce. The state ranks third nationwide for tech job demand, with particularly strong opportunities in IT support, network administration, and cybersecurity. Employers are urgently seeking talent, and Per Scholas Baltimore is helping to fill that gap by preparing residents with the skills and certifications they need to succeed.
The organization will continue its work by hosting a timely community event, “The State of Hiring in Baltimore with Per Scholas,” on Wednesday, September 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Place Baltimore/Inner Harbor, located at 511 S. Central Avenue. The interactive gathering will bring together employers, workforce leaders, and community partners to explore pressing challenges and opportunities in Baltimore’s hiring landscape. The lineup will include Jay Roy, CEO of Omni Technology; Lay Davenport, Job and Career Center Manager at the Enoch Pratt Free Library; James Jean-Baptist, Principal and Founder of Cyberlinx Solutions; James Mitchell, Executive Director of Reasonable Tech Solutions; and Gretchen LeGrand, Senior Program Manager at the Deutsche Foundation, alongside other local leaders. Together, they will share real-world insights on how the city can better connect talent to opportunity.
With a record of student achievement and an eye on the city’s broader workforce needs, Per Scholas Baltimore continues to prove that the combination of free, rigorous training and strong employer partnerships can transform lives, strengthen communities, and build the future of Baltimore’s workforce.
Harold Booker Jr.
Harold Booker Jr. is the founder and principal of DrewJenk Consulting, a boutique firm that specializes in project management, technology, and community engagement. He is also a frequent contributor to the Baltimore Times, writing about arts, culture, and social issues that connect personal history with community impact.