Economy Builder Partner Stories:
Jeremy Besch and Per Scholas Buffalo
Opening Doors to Tech Careers in Buffalo
After more than 20 years working in education, Jeremy Besch understands that self-confidence can matter as much to success as curriculum and grades.
That’s why what happens inside Per Scholas still stops him in his tracks. “In about three months,” Besch says, “we see people go from asking, ‘Do I even belong here?’ to saying, ‘I’m good at this. I deserve this. I can do this.’”
That shift—from exclusion to belonging—is what makes Per Scholas different. And it’s why Besch helped bring the organization to Buffalo.
A Workforce Model Built for Access
Founded in 1995, Per Scholas is a national workforce development organization that has evolved from refurbishing computers into one of the country’s leading models for no-cost, employer-connected IT training.
Today, Per Scholas operates campuses across the country, offering intensive technical training paired with wraparound support. Learners receive instruction in areas such as IT support, networking, and cybersecurity, along with professional development, career coaching, and job placement assistance.
The training lasts about three months, but the support continues beyond graduation. Per Scholas stays connected to graduates for up to two years, offering continued coaching and opportunities for upskilling as they advance from a first job into long-term career pathways.
“That first job becomes a second and a third,” Besch explains. “Every step comes with greater economic stability, and it all stays rooted in the community.”
Why Buffalo, Why Now
Buffalo became Per Scholas’ 24th campus in Fall 2024, following several years of groundwork. For Besch, the decision came down to both opportunity and readiness.
Before launching in a new city, Per Scholas evaluates whether training will connect directly to employment. In Buffalo, the validation came from the Center for Regional Strategies (CRS) and the workforce ecosystem already forming in Western New York.
“CRS was a strategic partner in figuring out: is Buffalo the right place for Per Scholas? Is Per Scholas the right training organization for this market?” Besch recalls. “They were great thought partners and helped us navigate the logistical hoops to make this happen.”
Western New York is facing a growing demand for tech talent, driven in part by the emerging tech corridor stretching west from Syracuse. At the same time, the region has a deep pool of underutilized talent, with people eager for opportunity but often shut out of traditional pathways.
“What made Buffalo stand out,” Besch says, “was that the ecosystem was already forming.”
Through the Western New York Manufacturing & Tech Workforce Coalition, employers, trainers, and funders were already aligned, meaning Per Scholas could enter a functioning pipeline rather than build one alone.
“We don’t want to make a splash and disappear,” he says. “We want to be somewhere we can have a sustained impact year after year.”
From Training to Confidence
While the technical skills matter, Besch believes the most powerful transformation happens internally.
He recalls a learner from Per Scholas Buffalo’s second cohort who came close to dropping out just weeks into the program. The material was challenging, but the bigger barrier was confidence. Standing in rooms with employer partners from major companies, he felt he didn’t belong.
With encouragement from instructors and staff, the learner stayed. Three months later, he graduated. Soon after, he accepted a job with a major healthcare system.
“That’s the part that stays with me,” Besch says. “Watching someone fight through self-doubt and realize their own value.”
Employers at the Table
Employer collaboration is central to Per Scholas’ effectiveness. Local employers help shape curriculum, participate in mock interviews, and engage directly with learners throughout training.
Four days a week focus on technical skills. The fifth day is dedicated to professional development, including résumés, interviews, workplace communication, and conflict resolution. Employers often lead those sessions.
“That connection makes the training real,” Besch says. “Learners see what’s expected, and employers see the talent that’s right in front of them.”
This alignment is strengthened through Per Scholas’ participation in the WNY Manufacturing & Tech Coalition, which brings employers, trainers, funders, and community organizations to the same table.
“Without the coalition, that work would be much harder to pull off as an independent entity,” Besch explains.
Economic Development, One Career at a Time
For Besch, Per Scholas is more than workforce training. It’s economic development with a human face.
“When one person gains stability, that ripples out to families, friends, and neighborhoods,” he says. “That’s how environments change.”
In its first year of operations, Per Scholas Buffalo graduated three cohorts, trained more than 50 learners, and placed the majority into career pathways. Several graduates have already earned promotions or referred friends and family.
“That’s when you know it’s working,” Besch says.
Looking ahead, his goal is for Per Scholas to be known as Western New York’s premier tech trainer, trusted by employers and embraced by the community. “There are thousands of talented people here,” he says. “My job is to live in the space between them and opportunity. And make sure that connection happens.”
For Besch, that work is deeply personal. “This is the best job I’ve ever had,” he says. “Because it works and because it changes lives.”