600 IT execs from M&S and its suppliers to volunteer in local community projects
600 IT specialists from Marks & Spencer and its suppliers are to volunteer to help local community projects on 19 November in what is thought to be one of the biggest ever volunteer programmes in the IT industry.
Employees from companies such as Microsoft, Cognizant, SAP, ReThink and Tata Consultancy Services will support the M&S team, including M&S CIO Darrell Stein, in one of four activities organised with charity partners.
Projects will include helping 200 Abbeyfield care home residents to reconnect with their past by using Google, Facebook and Twitter on laptops, iPads and iPhones and planting 10,000 trees in Heartwood Forest with the Woodland Trust to create a new woodland area for the people of St Albans. The latter exercise will also help to offset the carbon emissions generated by the M&S IT office in Stockley Park.
The third projcet will involve 110 IT execs, who have all been trained to become science, technology, engineering and mathematics ambassadors by education charity STEMNET, visiting 15 schools to promote IT as a career choice.
Never Miss a Retail Update!The initiative will also provide help for young people from deprived backgrounds by sharing workplace skills and experience with mentoring charity Mosaic to help boost the youngsters’ confidence and long-term employability.
Commenting on the initiative Stein said: “More so than ever before, IT can inspire both young and old and we intend to use this power to support local communities and make a difference where it matters. At the same time we hope to motivate our own people and our suppliers by making the 19th November one of the most important days in our calendar. But it’s not only about one day. There are activities going on that will leave a legacy of IT equipment and support where it is needed most as we make our contribution to M&S’ eco and ethical programme.”
