Accenture Joins Employers of National Service; Pledges to Hire AmeriCorps and Peace Corps Alumni

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 the Corporation for National Service (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.