A new €100,000 fund announced today by Accenture Ireland will directly benefit more than 1,350 people through programmes focused on IT, business and general education.
Monies in the fund will be given to three not-for-profit organisations – Fastrack to IT (FIT),Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) andTrinity Access Programmes (TAP) – to support initiatives aimed at re-skilling unemployed or socially disadvantaged individuals so they can enter the workforce.
As part of the FIT/Accenture ‘Emerge’ project, 300 people will take part in new training programmes in mobile technology, programming and cloud computing. FIT programmes are aimed at individuals from marginalised or disadvantaged backgrounds and those experiencing long-term unemployment.
Some 1,000 young people will get to participate in the NFTE programme, where they will study business and entrepreneurship and receive a seed grant to start their own business. As part of the process, these young people, many at risk of early school-leaving, will present their business plans to a panel of judges and engage with business leaders, other entrepreneurs and community groups.
Over two years, 50 individuals aged 23 or older will partake in TAP Foundation programmes for Higher Education in association with Trinity College Dublin. These one-year courses help unemployed people enhance their skills, or re-skill, and develop their career potential.
Carmel Halpin, corporate citizenship lead, Accenture Ireland said: “Supporting these organisations helps bring to life Accenture’s commitment to building skills. This funding is specifically geared toward re-building our economy, with a focus on IT and business. ”
Photo: (left to right) Mark Ryan, country managing director, Accenture Ireland with Maria Doherty of Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, Peter Davitt of Fastrack to IT and Cliona Hannon of Trinity Access Programmes.
