Accenture employees pledge more than 10,000 hours
to participate in Hour of Code tutorials, teach computer
programming to students, promote access to computer science
education
TORONTO, Dec. 5, 2016 /CNW/ - For the second straight
year, Accenture (NYSE: ACN) is collaborating with Code.org to
support Hour of Code, a global educational movement that reaches
tens of millions of students through a one-hour introduction to
computer science and computer programming.
As part of Accenture's commitment to inspire and expand the
opportunities for students to learn coding and computer science
skills, Accenture employees in more than 200 cities across 55
countries have pledged to complete more than 10,000 Hours of Code
during Computer Science Education Week December 5-11. Additionally, more than 2,000
Accenture employees have committed to lead local events or
volunteer at schools in their communities by working with teachers
and Code.org to help students learn the basics of coding through
online tutorials that inspire students to continue learning.
"The need for more computer science graduates has never been
greater. Last year, there were 500,000 new computing jobs available
in the U.S. but only 40,000 qualified graduates to fill them. We
all must do more to close the skills gap and prepare students to
join the workforce of the future," said Paul Daugherty, Accenture's chief technology
officer and 'chief coder'. "In today's digital world, exposing each
and every student – particularly girls and minorities -- to coding
is just as critical as teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. I
am proud of the personal commitments Accenture employees are making
to help introduce students to computer programming and the vast
opportunities available to them in the computer science
field."
As part of the collaboration, Accenture leaders will join with
employees to participate in Hour of Code activities around the
world including:
- Yves Bernaert, senior
managing director, Accenture Technology, and Mathieu Morgensztern, managing director,
Accenture Consulting, will host middle school students from the
Collège Marcelin Bertholot in collaboration with Simplon, in
Paris, France.
- Jo Deblaere, Chief
Operating Officer, and Bart De
Ridder, country managing director, will host an
event in Belgium.
- Ambe Tierro, senior
managing director, Philippines, will host students at the
Southridge School for Boys, as well as a special employee event for
daughters of Accenture employees in Manila.
- Rekha Menon, chairman
and senior managing director, India, will host an event at the Colonel
Hill School in Bangalore,
India.
- Jimmy Etheredge,
senior managing director, US Southeast Region and Atlanta Office
managing director, will teach at a Junior Achievement Magnet
Business Academy in Atlanta.
"Every student in every school should have access to computer
science in order to become literate citizens of today's digital
world and explore the possibilities of computer science careers,"
said Hadi Partovi, co-founder and
CEO of Code.org. "By engaging and mobilizing its global workforce
to participate in Code.org events and in classrooms around the
world, Accenture shares our vision and provides invaluable support
in arming students with the skills they need to succeed in the
future."
To learn more or participate in Hour of Code visit
https://www.accenture.com/us-en/hour-of-code or
https://code.org/
About Accenture
Accenture is a leading global professional services company,
providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy,
consulting, digital, technology and operations. Combining unmatched
experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries
and all business functions – underpinned by the world's largest
delivery network – Accenture works at the intersection of business
and technology to help clients improve their performance and create
sustainable value for their stakeholders. With approximately
384,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries,
Accenture drives innovation to improve the way the world works and
lives. Visit us at www.accenture.com.
About Code.org
Code.org is a 501c3 public non-profit dedicated to expanding access
to computer science and increasing participation by women and
underrepresented students of colour. Its vision is that every
student in every school should have the opportunity to learn
computer science. After launching in 2013, Code.org organized the
Hour of Code campaign – which has introduced over 100 million
students to computer science to date – and partnered with 90 public
school districts nationwide to expand computer science programs.
Code.org is supported by philanthropic donations from corporations,
foundations and generous individuals, including Ballmer Family
Giving, Google, Infosys Foundation USA, Microsoft, Omidyar Network and
others.
SOURCE Accenture