Accenture, St. Louis Partner for IT Skills Development Program

The city of St. Louis has partnered with Accenture to help some local residents develop information technology skills and pursue careers in that field through a new program aimed at people who are unemployed, face the risk of job automation and lack the resources to receive training.

The company said Monday its partnership with the St. Louis Promise Zone introduced the “My Path, My Future” program with the intent to guide individuals in pursuing technical careers.

Promise Zone is a federal program that works to help high-poverty areas boost economic activity and employment. 

Accenture added it plans to introduce its national apprenticeship program to the city as part of the public-private partnership.

“Professional apprenticeships can play an important role in creating opportunities for individuals who might not otherwise have access to digital economy jobs, while helping to close the skills gap for employers,” said Julie Sweet, CEO of Accenture North America. 

Program partners include the state government of Missouri, St. Louis County Human Services, St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment, NPower, LaunchCode, Lyft, Family and Workforce Centers of America and CyberUp. 

Training is scheduled to begin in the summer and Accenture plans to select residents for employment by end of 2019.