EXPANSION
The hubs are meant to give Accenture clients access to specialized skills.
“We are bringing our clients in Columbus, and across the U.S., the most advanced capabilities to modernize their (information technology) to compete in a digital economy,” said Julie Sweet, the company’s CEO of North America, who made the announcement at Accenture’s offices in the Buggyworks Building.
“Our hubs are designed to help our clients innovate, implement and scale new solutions with speed and agility.”
Accenture uses advanced software engineering technology, including cloud computing and robotic process automation, to help clients. The hub will be connected to Accenture’s U.S. and global network of innovation hubs so that expertise around the world will be available in Columbus.
The hub includes the new Accenture Pivotal Business Group that helps companies update their old computer technology and applications to cloud computing and other new technology.
Sweet said Columbus has a history of a being a hub for technology, dating back to a time when its Columbus office, the Buggyworks Building, was built to manufacture horse-drawn carriages.
“Our hubs are designed to help our clients innovate, implement and scale new solutions with speed and agility.”
— Julie Sweet
More recently, Columbus has been picked as a finalist for Amazon’s second headquarters project, and the city won the Smart Cities competition.
“There’s lots of evidence of innovation in Columbus,” she said.
Accenture also announced Tuesday that it will expand its U.S. apprenticeship program to provide underrepresented groups greater access to digital-economy jobs and help develop the talent needed to fill technology jobs.
The company will work with colleges to provide participants with work experience, skills development and technical education in a year-long program tailored to local business needs. Typical recruits have or are close to earning their associate degree or comparable technical certifications in technology or another area of focus.
They receive more than 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning that potentially could lead to a full-time job. Also, they will receive coaching and mentoring.
Accenture expects to have more than 100 apprentices nationally by the end of the year.
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther praised the company and the new jobs coming to the city.
“Accenture’s focus on innovation is aligned with the city’s focus on innovation,” he said.
Accenture provides strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations services across 40 industries, according to the company.
It employs more than 435,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries.