Accenture
Plan International has a global partnership with Accenture. This partnership combines Plan International’s experience and knowledge of local communities with Accenture’s expertise in strategy and technology. Joint projects in countries such as Vietnam, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brazil and Colombia have provided training for more than 53,000 young adults to improve their chances of finding work.
What is Accenture?
Accenture is a global professional services company that specialises in business strategy, IT consulting and digital solutions. One of the pillars of its corporate citizenship policy is Skills to Succeed, a global initiative that equips people on the sidelines of the economy with skills to improve their job prospects. Through this initiative, Accenture has increased employment opportunities for more than 5.8 million people worldwide by equipping them with the skills they need to succeed.
Our partnership with Accenture
Plan International Netherlands first partnered with Accenture in 2004. In 2010, Plan International and Accenture launched a global partnership that centres on supporting young adults, especially young women, by providing training that improves their chances in the labour market. Our partnership addresses four of the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in January 2016: quality education (4), gender equality (5), decent work and economic growth (8) and the development of partnerships that contribute to achievement of these goals (17).
Why are Plan International and Accenture working together?
Soaring youth unemployment in countries with a demographic youth bulge is a major problem. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), more than half (approximately 776 million) of young people are outside the labour market. It is estimated that about 68 million young adults between the ages of 15 and 24 are unemployed or unable to find work. Unfortunately, young people seeking jobs face complex challenges and the trend suggests that global youth unemployment will continue to rise in the coming years.
By working together and combining the areas of expertise represented by Plan International and Accenture, we can maximise the impact of our mission, vision and goals. Because our organisations are closely aligned in terms of the issues we address, through our partnership we can offer programmes that enable us to equip more young people with the skills they need to enter the workforce.
Youth Economic Empowerment and Skills to Succeed
Through its innovative online learning solutions, Accenture’s Skills to Succeed initiative ensures that young people develop the skills they need to find a job or start their own business. Plan International’s Youth Economic Empowerment projects pursue a similar aim. Through this programme, Plan International provides training and guidance to help young people find a job with a local employer or start their own business. The initial objective is to secure a permanent contract and terms of employment that guarantee at least the local statutory minimum wage. Within this approach, there is a special focus on promoting opportunities for girls, because many girls in developing countries still have very limited access to the labour market. By joining forces, we can reach more young people with these programmes.
Both parties playing to their strength
“A long-term alliance with a partner such as Plan International is crucial to the achievement of our corporate citizenship objectives in terms of preparing people to enter the workforce. On our own, we are unable to reach places where support is most needed. To ensure that our combined efforts are effective and sustainable, Plan International is responsible for developing and setting up training and outreach programmes, while Accenture provides the digital tools to scale up the programmes and increase their impact. This way, both parties are playing to their strengths. We are very proud of our partnership. It has touched employees at all levels of our organisation, who are putting their heart and soul into it, and also serves as an example of intensive and sustainable corporate citizenship for our clients.”
Laura van den Hurk, CSR Manager Accenture Netherlands
Making a difference through business
“Everyone must be aware of the importance of equal opportunities for women and girls. It is essential to invest in this group as it will ultimately ensure a better future for all. The partnership between Accenture and Plan International is helping us make a real difference.
Being equipped with the necessary skills is a decisive factor. For girls to have equal career opportunities, they need to be able to navigate their way through the digital world. On Girls in ICT Day, we invited girls to technical workshops at our Accenture offices so they are introduced them to the world of IT at a young age.
Strategy consultants, IT professionals, change experts – almost every department at Accenture is working on behalf of Plan International. I am grateful that my colleagues and I have the opportunity to help Plan International fulfil its mission. Let there be change!”
Tim van Deenen, Account Manager Accenture Netherlands
