For the second straight year, Accenture 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 Dec. 5-11. This includes more than 2,000 hours pledged by Accenture employees 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 & innovation 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." — SG
