element61 signs the Microsoft Partner Pledge

Brussels, 15th of November 2021 - element61, the thought-leading Business Analytics consulting company, announces today that it signed the Microsoft Partner Pledge to use technology as a force for good.

Partner Pledge Badge

Microsoft is passionate about the role of powerfully transformative technology and the benefits
it represents for customers, partners and society as a whole. Microsoft believes the nations that
will prosper are the ones who adopt technologies in a deep and ethical way and ensure
everyone possesses the right skills and opportunity to make the most of what lies ahead.

In this context, Microsoft created the Microsoft Partner Pledge that focuses on the following
5 critical goals:

  • Digital Skills to prepare for the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
  • Apprenticeships to provide promising, motivated people with an opportunity to kickstart a fulfilling career
  • Diversity of the technology workforce
  • Ensure AI is developed and implemented in a Responsible & Ethical way
  • Sustainability and reducing carbon footprint

As a triple Microsoft Gold Partner (Data Analytics, Data Platform and Cloud Platform) and the 1st Belgian partner to have obtained the “Advanced Specialization” for “Analytics on Azure”, element61 shares Microsoft’s global vision to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

By signing the charter, element61 commits to continue to work around the defined critical goals.

These goals match perfectly with initiatives already taken by element61:

Digital skills

element61 supports the BE Code AI Bootcamp program to meet the rapidly growing demand for IT specialists with AI knowledge. We are offering use-cases, guest lectures, education and internships, both in the context of BE Code and in broader context in relevant university and high school programs.

Apprenticeships

element61 offers every year at least 5 traineeships. A listing of current traineeships is available on our website. Ann has written up her experience in an Insight.

Diversity of the technology workforce

element61 is a fast-growing company, building & expanding a diverse highly skilled technical workforce for the future. In 2021 alone the company grew with more than 20 people, representing a good mix of young & experienced consultants, paying attention to gender equality, diversity and across over 10 nationalities.

AI in a responsible and ethical way

We encourage our people to always display correct and integer behavior. In our Data Science an AI projects we will be safeguarding the AI principles of Accountability, Fairness, Inclusiveness, Privacy & Security, Reliability & Safety and Transparency. For more information on this topic see Responsible AI principles from Microsoft.

Focus on sustainability

Bringing organizations to the cloud can have a significant impact on the organization’s carbon emissions. We work around the climate impact of our offices, our fleet and our ICT material.