SAP has launched a new initiative to identify and train talent to fill the skills gap in the EMEA IT channel. The company designed the Partner Talent Initiative to support demand within the channel for skilled certified professionals.

The program offers a full-time curriculum to certify IT professionals in “crucial and high demand” areas. These include RISE with SAP S/4HANA Cloud and an introduction to SAP S/4HANA financial accounting. Participants will then graduate with three SAP certifications, before re-entering the partner ecosystem as graduates ready for employment.

The pilot program is now in EMEA, but SAP intends to expand it in its next fiscal year.

Partners in High Demand

The vendor says that the SAP EMEA North cloud services market is growing at CAGR of 16%. That means its partners are in high demand, leaving many facing a challenging digital skills gap.

The new program is open to both recent graduates and those working in complimentary industries. The firm hopes it will provide graduates with the skills and qualifications needed to find employment in the partner community.

The first two cohorts have already started the program. Following successful completion of the course, graduates will begin a three-month intensive training programme designed to equip them with the professional and personal skills needed to become an SAP consultant.

Participants will receive support and feedback from delegates, instructors and the wider partner team throughout the training period.

Incentive for Partners

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

SAP’s Celine Cazali

Celine Cazali is chief partner officer, SAP UK & Ireland. She said graduates of the program “will learn invaluable skills, helping customers and partners successfully become Intelligent Enterprises and provide high-quality services.

“Our program will equip the next generation of consultants with the mindset, skills and ambition needed to succeed in the channel and beyond,” she said.

UKISUG’s Paul Cooper

Paul Cooper, chairman, UK & Ireland SAP User Group (UKISUG) has welcomed the program.

“It will help address a potential skills gap in the future,” he said. “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.”