In an effort to meet the ever-increasing demand for trained and qualified individuals within the IT industry, a newly introduced program will emphasize on SAP consultant training for channel partners.
The German enterprise software giant’s commitment to better equip its partners’ businesses and customers in their journeys towards becoming sustainable, intelligent enterprises is evident in the different steps it takes to deliver the resources they need. This can range from co-developing industry cloud offerings and streamlining SAP partner engagements to adding new initiatives that will help channel partners successfully manage processes using solutions such as the SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP).
In yet another example of SAP’s dedication to supporting its partner ecosystem, the software vendor has recently unveiled a new Partner Talent Initiative. It is focused on providing a thorough, full-time curriculum intended to certify IT professionals in highly important and huge demand areas such as RISE with SAP S/4HANA Cloud and an introduction to SAP S/4HANA Financial Accounting. According to the company, participants will then qualify with three SAP certifications, at which point they will re-enter the partner ecosystem as graduates who are ready to work.
UK & Ireland SAP User Group (UKISUG) Chairman Paul Cooper said that they are pleased about the launch of the Partner Talent Initiative because they believe it will aid in filling a potential skills gap in the future. He mentioned that the group’s member research found that many businesses are concerned that the pace at which they transition to SAP S/4HANA may be negatively affected by a lack of available skills.
According to the study conducted by the independent not-for-profit organization for SAP software users in the region, a large number of companies claim that they are unable to make efficient use of all of their data because they do not possess the necessary skills (41%) or technologies (41%). In addition, the survey also uncovered that two-thirds of respondents felt that data management presents a barrier when transitioning from SAP ECC 6.0 to SAP S/4HANA.
Commenting on SAP’s new Partner Talent Initiative, Cooper remarked:
“A thriving partner ecosystem with more certified talent will be essential in supporting customers’ SAP S/4HANA journeys and developing the next-generation workforce.”
Latest Program Offers Rigorous SAP Consultant Training
As a result of the increasing demand for SAP’s partners and the market for cloud services in SAP EMEA North growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16%, many partners are confronted with the challenge of digital skills gap. The tech giant’s new initiative will assist in addressing existing gaps in talent by equipping graduates with the skills and certifications required to find employment in the partner network. The program is available to both new grads and those working in related sectors.
Explaining more about how the latest program will support the SAP partner ecosystem, SAP UK & Ireland (SAP UKI) Chief Partner Officer Celine Cazali said in a statement:
“By launching the Partner Talent Initiative, graduates of the program will learn invaluable skills, helping customers and partners successfully become Intelligent Enterprises and provide high-quality services.”
Moreover, the Partner Talent Initiative aims to make it possible for participants to receive digital badges for SAP Global Certification and to keep up with the latest developments in technology. In addition to this, the program will provide hands-on experience working with actual SAP software training systems, access to enablement content for members of the partner ecosystem, and learning materials to help build product skills for solutions throughout the SAP product line.
“Through a rigorous curriculum, combined with continuous feedback and support, our program will equip the next generation of consultants with the mindset, skills, and ambition needed to succeed in the channel and beyond,” Cazali further added.
Within the context of the Drive2Deliver partner capacity program, SAP will further provide a business development fund (BDF) incentive to partners who successfully recruit, train, and certify additional consultants. Announced at the SAP Global Partner Summit Online in 2020, Drive2Deliver supports partners in upskilling consultants in cloud technologies, as well as fosters close collaboration in post-sales operations.
