Plan and Accenture tie-up to train young unemployed in India and Vietnam

Underprivileged young people will get free training and support to gain employment

About 3500 underprivileged young people in India and Vietnam will be trained for employment under a new Accenture and Plan International partnership.

The leading global consultancy firm and Plan have joined forces to provide skills to hundreds of 18 to 25 year olds to get a job or start their own business.

Reaching out to young people

Accenture is providing US$ 1.9 million financial support and commercial expertise for the pioneering scheme which will also reach out to youth in remote areas through world-class virtual training modules.

Free skills and training programs will target industries such as information technology, customer relations and business process outsourcing where local demand for jobs is high.

The two-year scheme will bridge the gap between job supply and demand by matching disadvantaged young people with local opportunities through networks of employers.

Growth must benefit all

Plan International CEO Nigel Chapman said: "These are truly exciting times for the rapidly expanding economies and markets of India and Vietnam. But it must be remembered that this can easily exacerbate the widening gap between rich and poor."

He added: "Accenture's globally recognised know-how is a perfect match to Plan’s existing schemes and will help us reach marginalised young people and ensure that they too have the skills and opportunities to actively participate and share in the benefits of a growing nation. We are confident that a standardised model for the youth training programs will have a ripple effect, allowing us to rapidly expand the program worldwide."

Vietnam's success story

The partnership will build upon and expand Plan International's ongoing educational project REACH in Vietnam. Over 80% of the 5400 disadvantaged youth trained through the programme are now in stable employment. Accenture will assist the international charity in developing a business model to expand REACH to other developing countries.

Skills key to economic well-being

Adrian Lajtha, chief leadership officer at Accenture said: "Supporting Plan International helps bring to life Accenture’s commitment to building skills – drawing on people's passion, experience and dedication to developing and nurturing talent." Accenture’s partnership with Plan International is part of its Skills to Succeed initiative that aims to equip 250,000 people by 2015 with the skills to get job or build businesses.

Lajtha added: "Plan is succeeding at a rapid pace and is proving that it's possible to make a significant, lasting impact on the economic well-being of individuals by developing skills and connecting people with the right job opportunities."

The new partnership was launched first in India this year and it is planned to roll it out internationally with Haiti and Tanzania being considered among the next countries.