SAP Africa yesterday announced the details of the latest chapter in its Skills for Africa job creation initiative. The SAP Skills for Africa program is an integral part of the company's goal to train 10 000 ICT consultants across the continent by 2020, according to newly appointed MD for the region, Brett Parker.

The South African program represents collaboration between SAP Africa and a select group of its local customers and partners, including Accenture, ATOS, BMW, Consnet, T-Systems, Tata Consulting Services, Britehouse, Gauteng Provincial Government, MICT SETA and Multichoice. The launch of the South African chapter will also see SAP Africa employees volunteering to mentor all the students.

Partnering up

“The importance of partnering with the private sector for such an initiative strategically supports public sector efforts in South Africa. There is a key transformative role that effective technology plays as it ensures better collaboration, alongside ongoing investment in the development of local youth,” said Benjamin Ndigi, chief director: Resources at Gauteng Provincial Government.

75 young South Africans from across the country constitute the first South African SAP Skills for Africa class, which takes place over 10 intensive weeks of training. They've come from a list of more than 1000 applicants, all of whom were subjected to a rigorous testing and interviewing process that resulted in an initial shortlist of 150 that was finally whittled down to 75. SAP Africa added,upon successful completion of their studies, each student will go on to have internships with one of SAP's partners and customers involved with the initiative.

“As a technology-focused organisation, it is critical that we continue to invest locally in developing a specific set of skills to ensure we remain competitive not only as a company, but as a country. This type of partnership with SAP is mutually beneficial in that it provides us with a platform to hone and develop world-class talent,” added Siphiwe Zwane, Multichoice SAP Centre of Excellence Functional Teams manager.