Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Future: SAP's Role in Bridging the Global Skills Gap
The global skills and opportunity gap frequently takes center stage at major events like the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos and the UN General Assembly and Climate Week in New York. This trend continued at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The focus is clear: the youth of today are the innovators and leaders of tomorrow, yet significant gaps remain. Bridging these divides demands active engagement and cross-sector collaboration to ensure young people are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in the workforce.
This is not only essential for their personal success but also a strategic priority for businesses and societies globally. Without sufficient pathways for skill development, youth risk unemployment, and businesses face talent shortages, especially in emerging green and digital economies.
Human Capital and Youth Day
To address this, November 18 has been designated as Human Capital Development for Climate Resilience Day at COP29. This initiative highlights the importance of empowering young people through education, skill-building, and health to effectively tackle climate change.
SAP's Commitment to Equitable Access
SAP is actively working to enhance access to education, economic opportunity, and sustainable practices. Through its programs and partnerships, SAP emphasizes the role of education in preparing youth for meaningful employment. According to the International Labour Organization, global youth unemployment stood at 13% in 2023, while the World Economic Forum found that 44% of businesses struggle to find adequately skilled talent. Addressing these challenges requires immediate action and collaboration.
Key Programs and Partnerships
SAP has implemented several initiatives to bridge the gap between the skills employers need and those young job seekers possess:
This is not only essential for their personal success but also a strategic priority for businesses and societies globally. Without sufficient pathways for skill development, youth risk unemployment, and businesses face talent shortages, especially in emerging green and digital economies.
Human Capital and Youth Day
To address this, November 18 has been designated as Human Capital Development for Climate Resilience Day at COP29. This initiative highlights the importance of empowering young people through education, skill-building, and health to effectively tackle climate change.
SAP's Commitment to Equitable Access
SAP is actively working to enhance access to education, economic opportunity, and sustainable practices. Through its programs and partnerships, SAP emphasizes the role of education in preparing youth for meaningful employment. According to the International Labour Organization, global youth unemployment stood at 13% in 2023, while the World Economic Forum found that 44% of businesses struggle to find adequately skilled talent. Addressing these challenges requires immediate action and collaboration.
Key Programs and Partnerships
SAP has implemented several initiatives to bridge the gap between the skills employers need and those young job seekers possess:
- SAP and UNICEF Partnership: This collaboration supports Generation Unlimited by developing innovative solutions to global skilling challenges. Programs like Youth Agency Marketplace (YOMA), initiated by young Africans, focus on equipping underserved youth with market-relevant skills. Over 600,000 young people have gained foundational and digital skills, enabling them to access opportunities in a rapidly evolving global economy.
- SAP Educate to Employ: Designed in collaboration with UMUZI in South Africa, this program offers free training to prepare youth for the digital economy. Participants complete foundational courses and receive professional certifications, with many securing meaningful employment within SAP’s ecosystem.
- SAP University Alliances: With over 2,700 academic partners worldwide, this initiative educates students on AI-driven technologies, sustainability, and industry engagement. Activities at COP29 include gamified learning experiences and sustainability-focused dialogues with students in Baku.
Collaborations with Youth Organizations
SAP also partners with leading youth-focused organizations to amplify young voices in global decision-making:
SAP also partners with leading youth-focused organizations to amplify young voices in global decision-making:
- We Are Family Foundation (WAFF): Through campaigns like the Universal NDC Youth Clause, WAFF promotes youth inclusion in climate policy development.
- World Scouting Partnership: This collaboration showcases youth-led environmental initiatives and highlights the critical role of young people in driving sustainability efforts.
Building a Sustainable Future
As global challenges like climate change and digital transformation intensify, SAP emphasizes the importance of investing in youth development. By equipping young people with the skills needed to navigate a changing world, SAP contributes to fostering a more inclusive and sustainable future. Collaborative efforts across governments, businesses, and non-profits are essential to bridging the talent gap, enhancing climate resilience, and empowering the next generation of leaders.
As global challenges like climate change and digital transformation intensify, SAP emphasizes the importance of investing in youth development. By equipping young people with the skills needed to navigate a changing world, SAP contributes to fostering a more inclusive and sustainable future. Collaborative efforts across governments, businesses, and non-profits are essential to bridging the talent gap, enhancing climate resilience, and empowering the next generation of leaders.
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