At CEBIT Salesforce announced that it will donate $1 million to future workforce programs in Germany. The funding will support four programs that support the education and work prospects of diverse and disadvantaged people in Germany. The focus is on organisations that help provide training and education for roles in
tech jobs.
Ebony Frelix, SVP Philanthropy and Engagement, Salesforce.org commented: “At Salesforce.org, we believe businesses have a responsibility to ensure nobody is left behind. We’re committed to giving back to the communities in which we live and work and are proud to support these initiatives in Germany to ensure a diverse, skilled and talented workforce.”
Four organisations will benefit to the tune of $250,000. They are CodeDoor.org, Joblinge, ReDI Digital School of Integration and SchlaU Schule.
Salesforce also revealed that as part of its five year agreement with (RED) it will donate €5 for each CEBIT ticket sold to fight AIDS. (RED) was set up in 2006 by Bono and Bobby Shriver to fight AIDS in Africa through education, prevention, treatment, counselling, HIV testing and care services. It has generated more than $500 million for the Global Fund through partnering with global brands such as Apple, Beats, Swarovski and Vespa.
Four beneficiaries
The four beneficiaries work in different regions of Germany supporting disadvantaged youth, enabling them to enter the tech market with much needed skills
- CodeDoor.org is an organisation that offered courses in programming at every level. The Salesforce grant will enable 1,000 social disadvantaged youth to gain access to the courses and support them in finding jobs. A wide number of technology companies support the organisation including AWS, Salesforce, IBM, Cisco, Intel, Cap Gemini and the German Federal Government.
- Joblinge aims to provide disadvantaged, unemployed youth with opportunities such as apprenticeships or jobs. It achieves this through a six month program that prepares individuals for future roles, making them work ready. The Salesforce grant will enable digital skills training and placement into Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) apprenticeships.
- ReDI Digital School of Integration offers high quality training to tech interested newcomers to Germany. It delivers training and mentorship through a strong network of tech leaders and alumni from the program. The Salesforce.org grant will support the development of tech-related curriculum for newcomers supporting their integration and helping prepare talent for jobs in the tech sector.
- SchlaU Schule provides a transition environment for young refugees who have entered Germany. 320 students are currently taught in Munich with around 80 graduates every year. It helps individuals to work through the Bavarian curriculum and prepares them for higher education or jobs. The Salesforce.org grant will support refugee students with education and ICT skills, minimizing the digital divide. So they have an opportunity to be successful in the jobs of the future.
What does this mean
Salesforce is a recognised leader in corporate philanthropy. It has already granted $65 million to different initiatives across the globe to support education in STEM subjects. Its employees have also spent more than 175,000 volunteer hours in classrooms since 1999. There is a huge benefit for the greater good in these actions but over time Salesforce also benefit. Having helped so many people in new roles, many will also look to work within a Salesforce ecosystem. There is a potentially huge skills gap in the coming years.
By highlighting its philanthropic investments Salesforce demonstrates a leadership that many other organisations should take note of and follow. Simon Mulcahy, Global Chief Marketing Officer called on attendees at the recent World Tour event in London to have customers and partners to take the 1% pledge. It should make a similar call at CEBIT and challenge firms to follow in its footsteps.
