CGI (NYSE: GIB) (TSX: GIB.A): CGI, a leading global information technology and business process services company, is partnering with Cre8te Opportunities Ltd, an Edinburgh-based social enterprise, to support the provision of digital training for elderly, unemployed and socially isolated people living in Edinburgh.
Cre8te helps to reduce the digital skills gap amongst disadvantaged groups through online training, to support them to become more independent and connected with their communities. CGI is funding a digital skills tutor at Cre8te’s Digital Skills Academy, in the Craigmillar area of the city, as part of the company’s support for local communities across Scotland. The financial arrangement will allow Cre8te to continue providing its support and training through its Use IT programme – a basic digital literacy course to give unemployed people IT skills to help them with job applications and into work.
Tim Gregory, President CGI UK, said: “CGI is very keen to support local communities as part of our corporate social responsibility programme and Cre8te is an excellent example of a social enterprise that has a real impact on the community in Edinburgh. Cre8te has a solid track record of empowering people with online skills and knowledge, enabling them to feel more digitally connected. This is an important initiative, which will ensure that more people have the opportunity to be a part of the digital age.”
“Cre8te’s results speak for themselves. Over 1000 people have successfully passed through the doors of Cre8te’s Digital Skills Academy, who are now equipped with more than just a basic level of computer literacy. This will assist them in applying for jobs, finding out what’s going on in their local area or to keep in touch online with family and friends. And of course, these IT skills will also prove useful in the workplace.”
Neil Scott, Chief Executive of Cre8te Opportunities Ltd, welcomed the partnership, commenting: “The support from CGI will go a long way to ensure that people currently living in digital isolation have the chance to become equipped with the right skills to increase their own life opportunities. Whether it’s getting into employment or enhancing their leisure time, being digitally competent can open up many doors.
“Evidence shows that around 25 per cent of people in Scotland either have no access to the Internet or little or no computer skills. Among the unemployed people who come to us the rate is much higher, at 50%. This funding will therefore enable us to secure the post of a tutor for another year and to continue carrying our vital work to support communities in Edinburgh. I hope that this will be the start of a mutually beneficial, long lasting partnership.”
This support for Cre8te is just one of the local corporate social responsibility initiatives from CGI to support the local community in Scotland. CGI has recently supported the Edinburgh Food Bank, with fund raising and volunteers providing hands-on involvement in a vital local voluntary service.
About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI Group Inc. is the fifth largest independent information technology and business process services firm in the world. Approximately 68,000 professionals serve thousands of global clients from offices and delivery centers across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific, leveraging a comprehensive portfolio of services including high-end business and IT consulting, systems integration, application development and maintenance, infrastructure management as well as a wide range of proprietary solutions. With annualized revenue in excess of C$10 billion and an order backlog exceeding C$20 billion, CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Website: www.cgi.com.
About Cre8te
Cre8te is a social enterprise that encourages businesses to set up in some of the more deprived areas of Edinburgh to support employment opportunities and help boost the local economy.
For more information:
Janine Bailey
Vice-President, Marketing and Communications
Janine.bailey@cgi.com
+44 7766 420850
