Entain Plc has launched ‘EnTrain’,  a new multi-million-pound CSR directive aimed at improving access to technology for underserved/underrepresented communities. 

The FTSE100 gambling group’s new CSR directive aims to “positively impact the lives of over 1 million people around the world, either directly or through their families and dependents by 2030″.

EnTrain is marked as the “first global strategic commitment” of the Entain Foundation – the CSR Charter of Entain that aims to support all local communities in which the group operates within.

Access to technology will be provided by the Foundation’s four CSR units of Entain Academy, Scholarships, Apprenticeships and Partnerships.

“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. “

Headlining its new directive, Entain has launched five new global CSR partnerships that will form part of the EnTrain technology and diversity programme.

Within its home market of the UK, Entain will fund nine technology apprenticeships through YGAM (the Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust) – with first recipients aimed to be announced by the end of 2021.

The programme’s commitment to talent development and inclusion will see Entain launch a training and mentorship programme developed by the Berlin University of Technology and the Nexus Institute – “aimed at technology managers, founders and start-ups, as well as R&D personnel in the private sector, higher education and research organisations”.

In the US, Entain has pledged to improve academic support for underserved communities, launching a scholarship programme with the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) – “to support applicants looking to build careers in the online sports betting and gaming industries”.

New market developments have seen the Entain Foundation partner with LaTam non-profit organisation Tiempo de Juego to launch a high-performance and community-led female football team in Colombia

Finally, within Australia, EnTrain will take ownership of the ‘Pathways Academy’ a multi-faceted education programme to deliver improved outcomes for under-represented groups in technology – be it for women, migrant workers, indigenous and neurodiverse groups.

“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,” Nygarrd-Andersen concluded.

“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.”