The partnership between Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana and Per Scholas was built on a shared belief: access to education can change the course of a life. Made official in late 2022, the collaboration brought Per Scholas, a national nonprofit providing no-cost technology training and job connections, into Goodwill’s corporate offices on West Michigan Street in January 2023. Just two months later, the first cohort of learners began their journey, marking the start of something truly impactful.

Among that very first cohort was Carlton Foster, a graduate of The Excel CenterⓇ, His story reflects what’s possible when opportunity meets determination. Carlton didn’t just meet the program’s goals, he exceeded them, earning not one but three industry-recognized certifications: CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+. That same year, he joined Goodwill as an Analytical Tier 1 Specialist, turning training into a career. .

Carlton’s momentum didn’t stop there. Since being hired, he has earned two promotions and now serves as the Head Education Liaison for Goodwill Education Initiatives, supporting all campuses of The Excel CenterⓇ in Indiana as well as Indianapolis Metropolitan High School. In his current role as Technical Liaison, he manages projects for 19 schools, including the Indianapolis Metropolitan High School, and  contributes to Goodwill’s work in Puerto Rico. His growth mirrors the expanding reach of the partnership itself.

Carlton’s journey began years earlier at The Excel CenterⓇ campus in Anderson, IN, where he enrolled in 2012 and earned his his high school diploma. After graduating, he worked in insurance sales, but his lifelong passion for IT and video games never faded. In 2023, that passion led him to apply to Per Scholas—a decision that would reshape his future.

Thanks to special funding from the Lilly Endowment and additional support through Goodwill, Carlton gained access to extra certifications and valuable community connections, including Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership. With their guidance, he’s now preparing to purchase his first home in March 2026.

Today, Carlton encourages anyone curious about IT to apply. He calls Per Scholas “one of the better opportunities you’ll get in the field, for free.” With more than 230 graduates and cohorts of approximately 20 in-person learners, three times a year, the program continues to open doors by proving that when education, partnership, and purpose come together, lives are transformed.

If you’d like more information about the Per Scholas program, you can visit their website here.