Accenture is
teaming with Code.org to support global participation in Hour of Code, one of the world’s largest educational
events, designed to prove anyone can learn the basics of coding,
have fun doing it, then continue learning beyond one hour. Thousands of
Accenture employees around the world have pledged to complete nearly 8,000 Hours of Code during
Computer Science Education Week (December 7-13). This number is expected to grow as Accenture employees
commit to an Hour of Code and volunteer to work with teachers and Code.org to
help students learn the basics of computer science at local schools and events
through fun, game-like online lessons.
Organized by
Code.org, the Hour of Code brings together more than 350 partner organizations and tens of
millions of students in every country around the world. The
campaign culminates with a massive
coding event the week of Dec 7-13, with 191,000 registered events. The goal of
the grassroots movement is to empower every student in every school with the opportunity to learn computer science. By starting
early, students will have a foundation for success in any 21st-century career
path.
“We are aligned
with Code.org’s mission and vision that exposure to coding is important to the
success of every student, regardless of what field they choose to pursue,” said
Paul Daugherty, Accenture’s chief technology officer. “We must all do more to encourage
greater interest in computer science in schools, especially for girls and
underrepresented students of color. Armed with coding skills they develop
throughout their academic careers, students will be much better prepared to
fill key roles in the digital businesses of the future. I am impressed
with the passion and energy that our Accenture people are showing in their
commitment to this important cause.”
“The need for people with STEM skills has never been
greater,” said Roxanne Taylor, Accenture’s chief marketing and communications
officer. “By 2020, there will be 1.2 million jobs requiring
computer-related skills in the U.S. alone. Yet the pipeline of graduates with
technology skills is lacking, especially among women. Code.org is helping to
reverse this trend by addressing the issue early in the education cycle. We
need to get young people excited about computer science long before they enter
college. Hour of Code is an amazing campaign that does just that.”
As part of its
collaboration with Code.org, senior Accenture leaders will join with employees
in 186 cities across 56 countries to
participate in Hour of Code activities including:
* Paul Daugherty, Accenture Chief
Technology Officer, will join Code.org Co-founder
and CEO Hadi Partovi at Fort Greene Preparatory Academy, Brooklyn,
NY, US
* Ellyn Shook, Accenture Chief Human
Resources Officer, at Oakridge International School,
Bangalore, India
* Julie Sweet, Accenture Group Chief
Executive—North America, at The National Center for
Children and Families, Washington, D.C., US
* Emma McGuigan, Senior Managing
Director, Accenture's UK and Ireland Technology Group, at STEM organization, London, UK
* Jane Livesey, Managing Director,
Accenture’s Australia and New Zealand Technology Lead , at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour School in Sydney,
Australia
* Marc Carrel-Billiard, Managing
Director, Accenture Technology, Global Technology RnD, at Fremont High School in Oakland, California, US
“Accenture is leading
by example in their efforts to support computer science education with a
company-wide commitment to help students start learning skills that will
prepare them for the best opportunities in any future career path,” said
Code.org CEO and Co-founder Hadi Partovi. “By not only looking inward into
their own organization, Accenture's support in classrooms and Code.org events
around the world will address some of the biggest issues faced by the
technology industry, helping make it more diverse, inclusive and available to
all people.”
