Africa: SAP Holds Its First Skills for Africa Graduation

In July 2013, SAP set embarked on a training programme aimed at bridging the demand for specialised ICT skills in Kenyan companies while also increasing youth employment. Today, the first group of 52 students were presented with SAP Certification at a graduation ceremony held at Multi-Media University. The 52 were fully sponsored by SAP through the programme. Also sponsoring the programme are the Kenya Ministry of Information Communications & Technology through the ICT Authority and Multi Media University.

The students who passed the certification have consequently been matched with job internships at SAP customers and partners ,who are some of Kenya's leading companies such as Bidco, Mumias Sugar Company, Kenya Airports Authority among others, as well as SAP's leading East African partners. "We are looking forward to achieving the goals set out in the Kenya Vision 2030. These goals, however, will not be attained on schedule unless we rationalize our education and training in line with the vision 2030 dream. All sectors now require ICT skills to effectively compete. To do this we must produce young people who are market ready," said Dr Fred Matiangi, Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of ICT. The initiative comes against the backdrop of pressing demand for technology solutions as well as the need for the right talent to be developed in Kenya specifically with a view to employability.

The graduates were awarded after going through an 8-week long intensive SAP module training by expert trainers from Africa. The training was followed by certification exams in four SAP modules. A total of 81 young graduates embarked on the training in July after they were selected in a competitive process that saw more than 1,000 applications received from across the country. The candidates were trained on a course outline that covered technology, business, finance, logistics as well as critical soft business skills.

The Skills for Africa programme idea was conceived in Kenya by ICT Authority and SAP East Africa and was officially launched in September 2012. Bright students from disadvantage backgrounds and women are considered for the training.