SAP launches Partner Talent Initiative to close skills gap

The company claims its new programme will train the ‘next generation’ of SAP consultants for channel partners

Enterprise application software company SAP has launched its Partner Talent Initiative to train new and existing talent in the SAP Partner Ecosystem to support increasing demand within the IT channel for skilled certified professionals.

The programme will provide a "rigorous", full-time curriculum designed to certify IT professionals in crucial and high demand areas including RISE with SAP S/4HANA Cloud and an introduction to SAP S/4HANA Financial Accounting.

Participants will then graduate with three SAP certifications and begin a three-month intensive training programme designed to equip them with the professional and personal skills needed to become an SAP consultant.

"By launching the Partner Talent Initiative, graduates of the programme will learn invaluable skills, helping customers and partners successfully become Intelligent Enterprises and provide high-quality services," said SAP UK & Ireland chief partner officer, Celine Cazali.

"Through a rigorous curriculum, combined with continuous feedback and support, our programme will equip the next generation of consultants with the mindset, skills and ambition needed to succeed in the channel and beyond."

The group claims that, with the SAP EMEA North cloud services market growing at CAGR of 16 per cent, SAP's partners are in high demand, leaving many facing a challenging digital skills gap.

The company's new programme is open to both recent graduates and those working in complementary industries, and will help address existing gaps in talent by providing graduates with the skills and qualifications needed to find employment in the partner community.

SAP will also offer a business development fund (BDF) incentive to partners who recruit, train and certify new consultants under their Drive2Deliver partner capacity initiative.

Paul Cooper, chairman, UK & Ireland SAP User Group added: "We welcome the creation of the Partner Talent Initiative as it will help address a potential skills gap in the future.

"Our most recent member research highlighted that many organisations are concerned a lack of available skills will impact the speed their organisation moves to SAP S/4HANA. A thriving partner ecosystem with more certified talent will be essential in supporting customers' SAP S/4HANA journeys and developing the next-generation workforce."