Accenture signs partnership with Girls Who Code

10 November 2014 Consultancy.uk

Accenture has announced a partnership with Girls Who Code, a non-profit company that aims at assisting young women to secure a career in technology through inspiring, educating, and equipping them with the needed skills. The partnership forms a part of Accenture’s ‘Skills to Succeed’ initiative.

Girls Who Code
Girls Who Code is a national non-profit organisation that aims at closing the gender gap in technology by inspiring, educating, and equipping young women with the computing skills to pursue 21st century opportunities. The organisation has set the goal of providing computer science education and exposure to 1 million young women by 2020.

Accenture has decided to partner with Girls Who Code, a decision that according to the consulting firm illustrates its commitment to women* and is part of its corporate citizenship initiative, ‘Skills to Succeed’**. As part of the partnership, Accenture will contribute $500,000 to Girls Who Code this year and provide volunteers that will commit their time and skills to the organisation’s programs. The firm will host the Summer Immersion Programs and support Girls Who Code clubs at new locations, programmes that offer “a wide variety of computer science skills training and exposure to real-world business and mentorship opportunities”. In addition, Accenture will assist Girls Who Code in the establishment of a new online community for alumni of Girls Who Code.

Accenture sponsor of Girls Who Code

Commenting on the partnership, Paul Daugherty, Chief Technology Officer at Accenture, says: “Accenture and Girls Who Code share a commitment to inspiring young women to pursue careers in computer science, and we’re excited to help these women capitalize on a broad spectrum of opportunities.” Reshma Saujani, Founder & CEO of Girls Who Code, adds: “Our Girls Who Code graduates are pursuing computer science degrees at top universities, securing paid technical internships working alongside professionals in the field, and even launching programs to teach girls around the world how to code. Our partnership with Accenture will help us close the gender gap in technology and help young women navigate their future.”

* The firm is supporting several women’s programs and initiatives, including mentoring, networking, training and development courses to help attract, retain and advance women.

** ‘Skills to Succeed’ addresses the global need for skills that open doors to employment and economic opportunity. The effort plans to equip more than 700,000 people globally by 2015 with the skills to get a job or build a business.