Professional services company Accenture announced this past week their $200 million commitment over the next three years to better equip disadvantaged people with the job skills needed for the digital age. The funds reflect the firm’s ongoing support of successful programs such as Skills to Succeed that has equipped over 2.2 million people with skills to find a job or build a business since 2010. The funds also support other Accenture initiatives that includes Tech4Good, and Accenture Development Partnerships.
Tech4Good leverages advanced technology to resolve challenges faced by society and businesses. In the past they’ve collaborated with the Grameen Foundation India to help disadvantaged people enhance their financial literacy and social wellbeing with technologies like AI and Augmented Reality.
Focused on government as well as civil society and businesses, Accenture Development Partnerships applies technology and business solutions to strengthen other programs and build capacity in development organizations across the world. They’ve collaborated with the Spanish Ministry of Employment, along with a consortium of nonprofits and corporations, to build Emplea+ in 2013, assisting marginalized individuals building soft, technical, and digital skills for employment.
“As a technology leader, we have an obligation to apply new scalable technology solutions to help solve complex societal challenges,” said Accenture CEO and chairman, Pierre Nanterme. “Our investments will continue to empower Accenture to produce socially minded partnerships and programs that will have a profound impact on the lives of millions of people throughout the world, now and for the future.”
