Entain has unveiled EnTrain, a new multi-million-pound global initiative to increase access to technology and improve diversity. The goal is to positively impact the lives of over 1,000,000 people around the world, either directly or through their families and dependents, by 2030.
This marks the first global, strategic commitment from the Entain Foundation to contribute to the international communities in which it operates, with a single initiative supporting people across all under-represented groups. It builds on programmes launched earlier this year by the Foundation to support women in technology.
“Entain is an ambitious business and sustainability is one of our two core strategic pillars. It benefits our customers and is also good for our business and the wider communities we are part of,” said Jette Nygarrd-Andersen, Chief Executive of Entain. “I believe passionately that we have a vital role to play in inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in technology. As we re-shape the future of interactive entertainment, we also want to help many more people become involved. Our new EnTrain initiative provides the building blocks to help them, through access to academic and vocational courses and the technological expertise and equipment they need to succeed.”
The EnTrain initiative comprises four core pillars:
- Entain Academy: Supplying transformative technology training for the next generation
- Entain Scholarships: Providing the platform for a diverse selection of candidates to become digital pioneers
- Entain Apprenticeships: Upskilling and developing our existing employees, and expanding external apprenticeship schemes with new and existing partners
- Entain Partnerships: Partnering and collaborating with organisations around the world who amplify and support diversity in technology
The new global partnerships, announced today as part of EnTrain, aim to provide opportunities for under-represented and disadvantaged groups in the communities in which Entain operates – across the UK, Europe, Australia, and the Americas:
- The Entain Foundation is funding nine apprentices with YGAM (the Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust) in the UK. The apprenticeships, which will start before the end of 2021, range from one to four years in duration. These aim to provide employees at YGAM opportunities to develop new skills in coaching, leadership, and project management.
Daniel Bliss, Director of External Affairs at YGAM, has said of the partnership: “We are extremely grateful for this support from Entain. This initiative will support our ambitious people strategy and help develop the expertise of our staff team. As a result, our charity will be better equipped to continue our growth and increase our social impact.”
- In Europe, the Entain Foundation is funding a partnership with the Berlin University of Technology and the Nexus Institute, to develop an international executive training programme to enhance diversity in research and development. The programme, aimed at technology managers, founders and start-ups, as well as R&D personnel in the private sector, higher education and research organisations, supports the globally recognised concept of Gendered Innovations, developed by renowned Professor Londa Schiebinger from Stanford University. The concept of Gendered Innovations employs methods of sex, gender and intersectional analysis to create new knowledge in medicine, engineering, and ICT.
- In the US, Entain has a scholarship partnership with the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), to support applicants looking to build careers in the online sports betting and gaming industries. The first graduate placements will work alongside software engineers and technologists working in Entain’s Global Innovation Team at the Harry Reid Research and Technology Park.
- The Entain Foundation is entering a partnership with non-profit organisation Tiempo de Juego to launch a high-performance and community-led female football team in Colombia. The programme provides an integral educational offer to 25 girls, including six football training sessions per week, three English lessons per week, and psychosocial counselling. It aims to create sports-related life projects in the country and tackle the invisible barriers that girls and women face when it comes to both practicing and competing in sports.
- In Australia, Entain is finalising a multi-faceted strategy to deliver improved outcomes for under-represented groups in technology. Headlined by its new “Pathways Academy”, Entain will partner with a cross-section of education providers to deliver enhanced pathways into technology-based industries for women, migrant workers, indigenous and neurodiverse groups.
Through existing initiatives, Entain has already helped approximately 50,000 people around the world in 2021 and EnTrain will build on this between now and 2030. This includes support via previous apprenticeships and donations to existing partners promoting diversity to under-represented groups, such as the partnership with Girls Who Code announced earlier this year.
