Accenture launches virtual ‘Skills to Succeed Academy’
Accenture has launched its ‘Skills to Succeed Academy’, which aims to equip 10,000 young people by helping them gain the skills to get a job or build a business. Launched in partnership with the Department of Social Protection, the Academy is a free, interactive online training programme, developed to give those aged 15-24 the skills and confidence to own their career development.
Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar said: “The ‘Skills to Succeed Academy’ is an excellent example of the public, private and charity sectors coming together to help young people develop a career or start a business. It’s about giving people a helping hand to make the most of the many opportunities out there. Whether it’s getting a first job, starting a career or setting up your own small enterprise, it can be hard to know where to start. So we welcome this support from Accenture, a significant employer in its own right, to develop an innovative online learning programme. I am also grateful to FIT (Fast Track To IT), Eco Unesco, Jobcare, An Cosán, Junior Achievement, Careers Portal and Business in the Community Ireland who have come on board as delivery partners. Through partnerships like this, we can support the next generation of young people entering employment.”
Alastair Blair, country managing director at Accenture Ireland said: “Digital technologies are fundamentally changing the way we work and the skills required to enter and succeed in the workplace. Those most likely to succeed in the workforce of the future will not only have a strong set of core skills, but will be responsive to the changing work environment. By bringing together the best of technology and training from across Accenture and our partners, we have built an online system to help young people get a job and sustain long-term employment.”
The Academy delivers an online learning programme, available at www.s2sacademy.ie and through a number of local employment support bodies who have come together with Accenture Ireland as delivery partners including the Department of Social Protection, FIT (Fast Track To IT), Eco Unesco, Jobcare, An Cosán, Junior Achievement, Careers Portal and Business in the Community Ireland. The programme uses virtual coaches, gamification and simulations to help users navigate their career paths while equipping them with skills they need to find long-term employment – for example, tailoring CVs to job opportunities, honing interview techniques and understanding what is required to stay employed. The Academy is based on the Irish education system, and includes support resources relevant to the local job market.
Jill Huntley, managing director of global corporate citizenship at Accenture, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Ireland is one of the first countries across the globe to roll out the ‘Skills to Succeed Academy’. We saw the relevance and effectiveness of this tool to address youth unemployment in the U.K. market where our first programme exceeded its goals early. I look forward to taking the programme on to further countries as part of our global corporate citizenship initiative, Skills to Succeed, which is equipping more than three million people around the world with the skills to get a job or build a business.”
