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For
Immediate Release
Friday, November 11, 2016
Samantha Jo Warfield, CNCS
pressoffice@cns.gov;
202-606-6775
Accenture becomes
one of largest employers to join the initiative since its launch in 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Accenture becomes one of
the largest private-sector companies to become an Employer of National Service,
an initiative led by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and
the Peace Corps that recognizes the unique skills and experience that
AmeriCorps and Peace Corps alumni bring to the workforce. The announcement is
being made today as part of Accenture’s annual Day of Service.
Accenture, a leading global professional services company
with more than 384,000 employees, has committed to hiring additional AmeriCorps
and Peace Corps alumni across the United States and currently has more than 30
AmeriCorps alumni working in its greater Washington, D.C. metro office.
The
announcement has special significance for Accenture. Marty Rodgers, managing
director of the company’s Metro DC office, helped draft the legislation that
created AmeriCorps, a program overseen by CNCS, as a staff member for former U.S. Sen. Harris Wofford. Rodgers also
served on the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps board of directors
and is a recipient of the President’s Call to Service Award.
“At Accenture, our mission is to improve the way the
world works and lives,” said Rodgers. “Our corporate citizenship
initiative, Skills to Succeed, equips people around the world with the skills
to get a job or build a business. At the most basic, but most important level,
national and community service, public service and client service are all
anchored in the same philosophy -- and by serving their country and the world,
AmeriCorps and Peace Corps alums have demonstrated a key aspect of that
philosophy which is also what it takes to succeed at Accenture.”
Announced by President Obama at the White House in
September 2014 as part of the 20th anniversary of AmeriCorps, Employers of
National Service build a talent pipeline, connecting AmeriCorps and Peace Corps
alumni with leading employers.
“National service develops
essential skills that make AmeriCorps and Peace Corps alumni valuable assets
for organizations and companies seeking great employees,” said Wendy Spencer,
CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency
that administers AmeriCorps. “We are honored that Accenture recognizes that
AmeriCorps and Peace Corps alumni are strong leaders who are motivated,
flexible, innovative, and outcome-oriented. By taking this step, Accenture is
making a smart move to attract talented, dedicated, and experienced leaders to
work to their workforce.”
“Peace Corps volunteers return
from service as highly qualified leaders and global citizens with
cross-cultural, management, language, teaching and community development skills
to contribute to the workplace. In today’s interconnected world, I am delighted
that Accenture recognizes the value of hiring alumni of our service corps,” said Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet.
Accenture’s annual Day of
Service in Washington, D.C. is one of the largest corporate efforts of its
kind in the country. More than 2,000 Accenture employees are expected to
volunteer at more than 85 projects and opportunities supporting veterans,
educations, the homeless and family services. Coinciding with Veterans Day,
this effort highlights Accenture’s commitment to hire 5,000 veterans and
spouses in the U.S. by 2020.
Since
the President’s launch of Employers of National Service in 2014, more than 400 companies, nonprofits and public agencies,
representing more than 2.3 million jobs, have signed on as Employers of
National Service.
Altogether, more than 1.2 million Americans have served in AmeriCorps and
Peace Corps. On October 7, AmeriCorps celebrated a major milestone for the
national service program: surpassing 1 million AmeriCorps members. Since 1994,
more than 1 million men and women have given more than 1.4 billion hours of
service to their country, earning more than $3.3 billion in education
scholarships. AmeriCorps members serve communities across the country through
organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, City Year, Teach For America, and
the American Red Cross.
Since 1961, more than 220,000 Americans have served as Peace Corps
volunteers, developing lasting relationships with community members overseas as
they work toward sustainable change that lives on long after their service.
Peace Corps volunteers serve in more than 60 countries around the world.
Participants in both programs have worked as educators, economic development
advisors, and counselors.
#
The Corporation
for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages millions of
Americans in service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Social Innovation
Fund, and Volunteer Generation Fund programs, and leads the President's
national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit
NationalService.gov.
The
Peace Corps sends the best and brightest Americans abroad on behalf of the
United States to tackle the most pressing needs of people around the world.
Volunteers work at the grassroots level to develop sustainable solutions that
address challenges in education, health, economic development, agriculture,
environment and youth development. Through their service, volunteers gain a
unique cultural understanding and a life-long commitment to service that
positions them to succeed in today's global economy. Since President John F.
Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, nearly 220,000 Americans of all
ages have served in 140 countries worldwide. For more information, visit peacecorps.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Accenture is a leading
global professional services company, providing a broad range of services and
solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations.
Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40
industries and all business functions – underpinned by the world’s largest delivery
network – Accenture works at the intersection of business and technology to
help clients improve their performance and create sustainable value for their
stakeholders. With more than 384,000 people serving clients in more than 120
countries, Accenture drives innovation to improve the way the world works and
lives. Visit us at www.accenture.com.
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