Accenture partners Code.org for global participation

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 .
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.
Organised by Code.org, the Hour of Code brings together more than 350 partner organisations and tens of millions of students in every country around the world. 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  Accenture’s chief technology officer, Paul Daugherty.
“We must all do more to encourage greater interest in computer science in schools, especially for girls and underrepresented students of colour. 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”.
On his part, Accenture’s chief marketing and communications officer, Roxanne Taylor, disclosed that the need for people with STEM skills has never been greater and “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.”