(CNN) One of the largest consulting companies in the world is making a major commitment -- to moms.
Accenture will hire 150 mothers for positions at its Midwest division as soon as possible, the company tells CNN Business. The newly created positions will be in technology, strategy and consulting out of the company's offices in Chicago. The company said the roles will offer the new hires flexibility, support, training and mentorship.
To help find and hire candidates, Accenture is partnering with The Mom Project, a marketplace that connects professional women with companies. The Mom Project will screen applicants and put forward candidates for the roles. The organization said it is focusing on mothers who are unemployed and looking to make a career change.
"The jobs that we're talking about for these moms are careers. They're highly coveted roles in technology and in consulting, they're the type of roles that enable them to support their family," said Lee Moore, senior managing director for Accenture Midwest, who is heading up the partnership.
This comes at a time when women have been disproportionally affected by the pandemic. Women have lost 5.3 million jobs in the last year, compared to 4.6 million jobs lost by men. And some 2.5 million women have left the workforce all together, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
"Those of us in positions to do so must take bold action to reverse this backslide," said Allison Robinson, co-founder and CEO of the Mom Project. "I think our partnership with Accenture sets such a strong message to corporate leaders across the country, and I hope it will embolden them to do more."
In 2017, Accenture set a goal to become a gender equal workplace by 2025. Of its 514,000 global employees, 215,000 are women. The partnership with the Mom Project is one way the company believes it can reach their goal, and the 150 new hires is just the start, said Moore.
From CNN
