ACCENTURE GRANTS JUNIOR ACHIEVMENT US $1.1M TO SUPPORT WORK READINESS PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ACROSS THE U.S.

Kate Shenk
Accenture
(917) 452-3784
kate.shenk@accenture.com
@Accenture

ACCENTURE GRANTS JUNIOR ACHIEVMENT US $1.1M TO SUPPORT WORK READINESS PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ACROSS THE U.S.

NEW YORK; January 8, 2013 - Accenture (NYSE: ACN) and Junior Achievement (JA) today announced Accenture has awarded Junior Achievement with a grant of US$1.1 million to develop a new work readiness program that will enable high school students across the United States to gain the skills necessary to secure employment and build a successful long-term career. During its first year of implementation, the program is expected to reach approximately 85, 000 students.

The award, which consists of cash as well as the time and skills of Accenture employees, reflects Accenture's corporate citizenship initiative, Skills to Succeed, which will equip 250, 000 people around the world by 2015 with the skills to get a job or build a business. The new curriculum will combine career exploration and work readiness skills through hands on, interactive program activities including a new technology platform to more effectively reach students in both the classroom and remotely.

"Students who participate in this program will gain vital career and life skills, including problem solving, critical thinking and conflict management, " said Michael Scimo, North American human capital and diversity lead, Accenture. "We share Junior Achievement's commitment to educating young people and giving them the skills to connect to the workforce in a meaningful way."

"As our country looks for ways to drive economic growth, ensuring that our young people are well-prepared to succeed in the workforce becomes increasingly important, " said Jack E. Kosakowski, Junior Achievement USA's president and chief executive officer. "We look forward to providing this new curriculum to students, and are grateful for Accenture's support."

About Accenture

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with approximately 259, 000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world's most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. Through its Skills to Succeed corporate citizenship focus, Accenture is committed to equipping 250, 000 people around the world by 2015 with the skills to get a job or build a business. The company generated net revenues of US$27.9 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2012.

"Its a way to expand our curriculum without having to put out more resources. Thats a win for everyone."

Amy Kneesey, Vice Chairman of the Brevard County School Board

"JA is relevant to my school, more so now than ever."

Beth Westfall, Assistant Principal West Side Elementary School

"Junior Achievement is an outstanding, motivating program for our elementary students. Several of [our teachers] had JA volunteers last year and all had great praise for the program"

Hilah R. Mercer, Principal Cambridge Elementary Magnet School

"I have long believed that this JA experience is so valuable for our UCF students and that actually it is a rare win for all experience, the UCF students, the school teachers, the school students, the UCF Education Profs, and the JA sponsors."

Michael Johnson, PhD, UCF Professor, College of Education