Persevere will support local technology firms and provide good job opportunities by scaling its model for training justice-impacted americans through intensive skills training and work-based learning

The Economic Development Administration of the Department of Commerce awarded a $30.7 million Project Grant to Persevere under the Economic Adjustment Assistance program (CFDA 11.307). Persevere will use the funding to scale its Tennessee Technology Workforce Alliance program, which provides intensive skills training and work-based learning opportunities to justice-impacted individuals. Employer partners such as Banyan Labs, Epic Games, and Protech will design curricula, train instructors, and provide on-the-job training and job placement. Persevere has also secured partnerships with the Tennessee Department of Correction to offer training to incarcerated individuals, as well as with community organizations like Ladies of Hope Ministries to foster technology career pathways for formerly incarcerated women. The grant period runs from September 1, 2022 through September 29, 2025.

The tennessee technology workforce alliance's system is employer-driven, with employers including banyan labs, epic games, and protech committing to design curriculum, train instructors, provide on-the-job training opportunities and hire graduates. Persevere has also secured partnerships with the tennessee department of correction to start training individuals who are currently incarcerated and with community-based organizations such as ladies of hope ministries which has a history working with google to foster tech pathways for formerly incarcerated women.