SAP commits to teaching 12 million by 2030, opens up free learning pathways

As the technological world changes ever faster, SAP is transforming its approach to learning in a bid to 'meet learners where they are' and lower the barrier to entry for any developer wanting to delve into the world of SAP engineering.

To discuss this transformation and its impact on the APAC and ANZ territories, TechDay sat down with Timo Schuette, Global Vice President SAP Product & Solution Learning; Sabine Benz, Global VP, Ecosystem and Community, SAP Industries and Experience; and Chris Rae, Founder and Chief Architect of DalRae Solutions and a member of SAP's global mentor programme.

SAP makes a commitment to teach 12 million by 2030

As announced at the recent SAP TechEd conference, the enterprise software provider has pledged to equip 12 million people worldwide with AI-ready skills by 2030.

Largely, this is a commitment made in recognition of the global tech talent crisis. Gartner finds 80% of the engineering workforce needs upskilling by 2027, while McKinsey research shows demand for tech talent is likely to be 2-4x greater than supply, with only 16% of executives feeling comfortable with their available technology talent.

The 12 million figure builds on the fact that SAP has trained 4+ million learners since 2022, and this number continues to grow. SAP's active learner base has particularly strong engagement in the Asia Pacific region, with APJ the largest regional user base at 35.5%.

As part of the focus on lowering barriers, SAP has made several announcements, including a re-imagined certification model, a partnership with Coursera - the world's largest online learning platform, and a focus on underrepresented groups in the tech space.

At the core of SAP's learning strategy is learning.sap.com. The site offers both self-paced and premium learning resources for anyone who wants to develop in-demand SAP skills and prepare for certification. With 400+ free digital courses covering the entire SAP solution portfolio, this open-access approach ensures access to SAP skills is available to learners worldwide, regardless of location or background.

Dropping barriers and announcing platform partnerships

The SAP Learning platform was initially launched with seven learning journeys, but has now grown to cover the entire SAP ecosystem. According to Schuette, this has created opportunities for a broader demographic, including those outside the traditional SAP customer base, to engage with SAP skills and certifications.

Schuette says, "We put all of the content and learnings up free of charge. There is not even a need to register. Everybody can go, as millions have done. The only thing you need is an internet connection and you will get the same learning as you would in the classroom. It's the same content, the same strategic products, but completely available."

Benz comments, "We have two strategic approaches. One is we want to significantly lower the barrier for accessing SAP skills. Therefore we have implemented the new learning side as that means for free, available for everyone. That's one approach, making it as simple as possible. The second approach is to meet the learners where they are. That's where Coursera comes into play."

Coursera currently has more than 170 million learners, with 56M+ in APAC. At present, 110,000+ learners have already been served through SAP professional certificates in more than 20 languages. This is the first partnership of its kind for SAP, but the provider also teams up with universities to provide deeper learning pathways. As Schuette says, SAP is also working on creating a pathway with LinkedIn.

Benz comments, "There are a lot of touch points. There is a huge need and this is what we're trying to cover with partnerships. There's a lot in the pipeline."

Bringing learning to the real world: SAP's certification overhaul

A significant change for the learning platform is the certification overhaul. It's what Benz and Schuette describe as "the most revolutionary transformation over the last 40 years of training". Essentially, it's a shift from memorisation to testing students on their real world knowledge and abilities.

Announced at TechEd, SAP announced the end of multiple-choice testing in favour of practical, open-book exams in authentic SAP environments. This includes the fact that AI tools are allowed - candidates can use ChatGPT, Joule for Consultants, and other resources to parallel how they would world in their daily work.

In addition, the certification tests on real scenarios, including roleplays with simulated stakeholders, and challenge-based case studies that require coding, configuration, persuasion and practical tasks.

Benz says, "The major change is moving away from theoretical knowledge to practical testing. In the past, it was multiple choice. Now it's all about practical skills. Our assumption is that with experts it's not that they should know everything by heart - an expert should know where to get the right information to solve a problem. We are also moving away from proctored exams, because this is also not a real world scenario."

The company plans to transition its entire catalogue of 161 certifications to this new model by 2026, with the first batch of learners already certified during the TechEd conference.

Sanchit Vir Gogia, CEO, Greyhound Research, commented on the announcement, "SAP has taken a long-overdue step... not just modernisation, it's a reset. What this change really addresses is confidence. When a consultant walks into a room with a certification under this new model, they're tested in a way that mirrors what the client expects from day one."

Robert Kramer, VP & Principal Analyst, Moor Insights & Strategy, also shared his views: "If SAP can maintain quality and integrity as it expands this model, it will raise the bar not just for its own ecosystem, but for how enterprise technology certification is approached more broadly."

Bridging a growing skills gap in ANZ

Rae, who heads up the Australian IT consultancy DelRae Solutions and works with numerous ANZ businesses and SAP learners in the region, welcomes the changes to SAP Learning with enthusiasm.

He says, "One of my absolute favourite subjects, particularly in the ANZ region, is learning. I am an enormous advocate for it."

He continues, "SAP used to be more traditional, with all learning behind a paywall. They moved it to be free and available, which opened up learning journeys with immediate support. As the saying goes, a rising tide lifts all boats, and this more accessible learning journeys lifts all skills."

Rae is also an advocate for the changes to the certifications and exams. He comments, "This is an enormous change that's been years in the making, and I think it's fantastic. It brings learning closer to how we're working. Just think about how many people know the content inside and out, but when it comes to a traditional exam they just write themselves off? This changes that. It brings learning to the people who want it and need it.

"In ANZ we have a skills shortage, so if we're able to reduce the barrier to entry and understand where we need to be in the next, let's say, 12 to 18 months, that's huge. You can get the skills today and apply your knowledge and expertise immediately. I think it's an awesome model."