Cognizant And General Assembly To Launch No-Cost Digital Engineering Education Program

TEANECK, N.J. and NEW YORK, March 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Technology and business services company Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) and digital training and talent acquisition company General Assembly today announced a new digital engineering education program as part of Cognizant's global effort to address a growing digital skills gap and projected worldwide shortage of qualified technology workers. The web and software education program, open for anyone to apply and provided at no cost to participants, launches this month at multiple General Assembly campuses in the United States.

This is the latest education initiative Cognizant has created to help meet increasing demand for technology professionals in the global digital economy. Cognizant is one of the world's largest technology employers with approximately 260,000 employees globally at year-end 2017. The company hired over 6,000 workers in the U.S. alone last year, and plans to add at least 25,000 more individuals across the country over the next five years. The company also recently announced it is contributing $100 million to a new non-profit foundation focused on U.S. STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education.

"Educating and reskilling students and workers for roles in the digital economy is a major focus for us. We routinely see a skills shortage in our work at some of the world's largest and most successful organizations," said Cognizant CEO Francisco D'Souza. "The private sector must take a leadership role in addressing this very real and growing skills gap. General Assembly, as a global pioneer in workforce development and talent acquisition, is well-positioned to partner with Cognizant, offering custom programs that open up exciting new career opportunities."

The new training program will use General Assembly's "Talent Pipeline as a Service" (TPaaS), which sources, trains, and delivers skilled workers to enterprises, enabling employers to close large and often persistent gaps for qualified talent. The service is part of General Assembly's broader efforts to position both workers and employers for success in today's digital-first economy, connecting businesses directly to a diverse pool of skilled candidates already enrolled with General Assembly. 

Cognizant plans to offer qualified program graduates positions supporting clients in California and New York as well as other markets. Graduates can also work with General Assembly on other job placement opportunities.

"Companies of all sizes and across all industries are increasingly expanding their digital capabilities. Unfortunately, many of the current education and training models aren't giving workers the up-to-date skills they need to fill today's in-demand jobs, creating a real challenge as companies recruit, retrain and retain top talent," said Jake Schwartz, CEO and Co-Founder of General Assembly. "Cognizant is a company that is thinking creatively to find ways to fill the tech talent gap and expand the digital workforce.  In an increasingly competitive global business landscape, Cognizant shows how companies can play a leading role in closing the skills gap."

To learn more about Cognizant/General Assembly training opportunities, or for additional details about Cognizant's work with General Assembly, please email CTSPre-EmploymentTraining@Cognizant.com.

About Cognizant
Cognizant (Nasdaq-100: CTSH) is one of the world's leading professional services companies, transforming clients' business, operating and technology models for the digital era. Our unique industry-based, consultative approach helps clients envision, build and run more innovative and efficient businesses. Headquartered in the U.S., Cognizant is ranked 205 on the Fortune 500 and is consistently listed among the most admired companies in the world. Learn how Cognizant helps clients lead with digital at www.cognizant.com or follow us @Cognizant.

About General Assembly
General Assembly (GA) is advancing the future of work by equipping individuals and corporations alike with the most in-demand 21st-century skills. Offering training and assessments in web development, data science, digital marketing, and more, GA is building transparent career pathways for people, and sustainable, diverse talent pipelines for employers. With 20 locations, immersive online offerings, onsite trainings for the Fortune 500, and a global community of professionals nearly 1 million strong, GA is the leading source for training, staffing and career transitions. 

SOURCE Cognizant