Chicago’s South Side is gaining a new technology workforce development hub as Per Scholas launches a satellite campus in partnership with Xchange Chicago, bringing no-cost, employer-aligned technology training closer to underserved communities. Announced during TechChicago Week, the initiative combines industry-focused cybersecurity education, apprenticeship pathways, and employer partnerships to strengthen local talent pipelines while expanding access to technology careers in one of the city’s fastest-growing innovation corridors.
Per Scholas has expanded its workforce development footprint in Chicago by opening a new satellite campus through a partnership with Xchange Chicago, marking another step in the growing trend of community-based technology training designed to address persistent talent shortages across the IT and cybersecurity sectors.
Located at the Gary Comer Youth Center in Chicago’s Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood, the satellite campus aims to make technology education more accessible by reducing barriers such as commuting costs, transportation challenges, and limited proximity to workforce opportunities. The first cohort of approximately 20 learners has already begun cybersecurity training, with additional cohorts expected later this year.
Unlike traditional workforce development initiatives that focus primarily on classroom instruction, the collaboration combines Per Scholas’ AI-enhanced technology curriculum with Xchange Chicago’s employer network, apprenticeship ecosystem, and community infrastructure. The result is a workforce model that connects technical education directly with hiring demand.
The initiative also reflects a broader shift in workforce development, where employers are increasingly partnering with education providers to close skills gaps in cybersecurity, cloud computing, software development, and digital infrastructure.
A key component of the partnership is its close collaboration with SDI Presence, one of Xchange Chicago’s founding employer partners. By helping shape curriculum around real-world enterprise technology requirements, the company aims to ensure graduates develop skills aligned with current hiring needs rather than generalized technical knowledge.
Successful participants will have opportunities to interview for apprenticeship positions with SDI Presence while also gaining access to Per Scholas’ nationwide employer network through its Tech Talent Solutions program.
The training facility itself operates as an extension of Per Scholas Chicago. While Per Scholas provides instructors, curriculum, technology equipment, and learning resources, Xchange Chicago contributes dedicated classroom space and community-based support services that help learners remain engaged throughout the program.
Industry partnerships also play an important role in supporting the initiative. Comcast has contributed funding toward building a dedicated hands-on technology lab, helping expand Per Scholas’ satellite campus model across Chicago.
The announcement arrives as organizations across both the public and private sectors continue searching for qualified cybersecurity professionals and IT specialists. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, the global cybersecurity workforce gap remains in the millions, while Gartner continues to identify cybersecurity and AI-enabled technology skills among the highest-priority talent shortages affecting enterprise organizations.
Rather than relying solely on traditional four-year degree pathways, many employers are increasingly embracing skills-based hiring strategies supported by workforce training organizations such as Per Scholas. These programs emphasize practical technical capabilities, certifications, and employer-aligned learning outcomes that can accelerate entry into technology careers.
The partnership also highlights how place-based workforce development is evolving. Xchange Chicago was created as a community-centered technology workforce initiative by the Comer Science & Education Foundation, SDI Presence, and P33 to connect South Side residents with technology employment opportunities through apprenticeship programs and an onshore IT delivery center.
Since its launch, Xchange Chicago has supported nearly 100 Chicago residents entering technology roles spanning AI-enabled software development, Azure DevOps, cybersecurity, and enterprise asset management. The addition of Per Scholas’ curriculum further strengthens its workforce development capabilities while expanding available career pathways.
The broader workforce implications extend beyond Chicago. Organizations across the United States continue investing in employer-driven learning models that combine technical education, career coaching, mentorship, and direct employer engagement to improve long-term employment outcomes.
Research from McKinsey & Company suggests that demand for digital and technology skills will continue rising throughout the decade as AI adoption accelerates across industries. Simultaneously, Statista projects continued growth in global enterprise spending on digital transformation initiatives, increasing demand for professionals skilled in cloud platforms, cybersecurity, automation, and AI technologies.
For HR leaders, talent acquisition teams, and workforce development professionals, initiatives such as the Per Scholas-Xchange partnership demonstrate how regional employer collaborations can help address hiring challenges while expanding access to underrepresented talent pools.
The model also aligns with broader HR technology trends emphasizing skills-based hiring, workforce analytics, digital credentialing, and employer-education partnerships. HR platforms from providers such as Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, Oracle, ADP, and Microsoft increasingly support skills intelligence and internal talent mobility strategies that depend on a larger pipeline of qualified technology professionals.
With approximately 80% of Per Scholas Chicago graduates securing full-time employment after completing training, the expansion illustrates how community-based partnerships can contribute to both regional economic mobility and enterprise workforce resilience. As employers continue competing for cybersecurity and AI talent, localized training ecosystems are becoming an increasingly important component of long-term workforce planning.
Market Landscape
The Per Scholas–Xchange Chicago partnership reflects a broader evolution in workforce development, where employer demand increasingly shapes technical education. Rather than separating education from employment, organizations are building integrated talent ecosystems that connect skills training, apprenticeships, career coaching, and hiring pipelines.
For HR leaders, this model supports skills-first hiring strategies while helping organizations reduce recruitment costs and expand access to diverse talent. Enterprise HR platforms including Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, Oracle HCM, Microsoft, and ADP continue investing in skills intelligence capabilities that complement workforce initiatives focused on competency-based hiring.
As AI adoption accelerates across industries, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, DevOps, and digital workplace expertise are expected to remain among the most sought-after technical competencies.
Top Insights
- Per Scholas and Xchange Chicago launched a South Side satellite campus that delivers no-cost cybersecurity training aligned with employer hiring needs and apprenticeship opportunities.
- The partnership combines AI-enhanced technical education, community-based learning, and employer collaboration to strengthen local technology talent pipelines and improve workforce accessibility.
- SDI Presence and Comcast support the initiative through employer engagement and infrastructure investment, helping connect workforce training directly to employment outcomes.
- The expansion reflects growing adoption of skills-based hiring models that prepare learners for cybersecurity, cloud computing, AI-enabled software development, and enterprise IT careers.
- Community-embedded workforce development is emerging as a strategic approach for HR leaders seeking to address technology talent shortages while advancing workforce diversity and economic mobility.
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