Accenture Extends Commitment to Chicago with New Innovation Hub

Consulting Firm Accenture to Add 600 New Jobs by Summer 2020

Consulting firm Accenture will be expanding into newly named Accenture Tower, in Chicago’s West Loop, adding 600 highly-skilled tech jobs and growing its apprenticeship program by the summer of 2020. The company will expand to seven floors of the 500 West Madison building, bringing together its 6,200 Chicago-based employees. Governor JB Pritzker, Accenture leadership, City Colleges of Chicago and Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced the expansion on Wednesday, July 10 in Chicago.

“I’m thrilled that Accenture is expanding its footprint in Illinois, advancing its commitment to innovation and technology, and directly investing in our workforce through apprenticeships that create new opportunities for communities that need them,” said Governor Pritzker. “This is the type of partnership that benefits students, workers, and the economy as a whole. It’s clear the state of Illinois is open for business and I look forward to continuing to work with companies like Accenture to grow our economy and create jobs across the state.”

“Our clients, who are leaders in virtually every industry, are under tremendous pressure to harness the power of disruption for competitive advantage,” said Pallavi Verma, senior managing director at Accenture who leads its business in the Midwest U.S. “With our continued investment in Chicago, we are bringing innovation to our clients, working side-by-side with them to reimagine their futures and solve their biggest challenges.”

As part of its investment in Chicago, the company will also double its local apprenticeship program, committing to train 180 apprentices by the end of 2022. Started in 2016 in partnership with City Colleges of Chicago, Accenture’s professional apprentice program provides greater opportunities to individuals who haven’t had the opportunity to work in the technology industry and reskill those whose jobs have been disrupted, or will be disrupted, by technology.

Accenture’s apprenticeships in Chicago are twelve months long and include formal learning, on-the-job training, coaching, and paid work on average of 36-40 hours per week. Upon completing the program, apprentices have the opportunity to convert to full-time employment with Accenture.

“The City of Chicago is committed to inclusive growth that ensures the success of a thriving downtown extends across all of our city’s neighborhoods and communities,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “We thank Accenture for their continued investment in the City of Chicago, and for their partnership with the City Colleges of Chicago to expand apprenticeships that will unlock new career opportunities for our city’s students.”