To increase the potential of the future workforce in Europe, SAP and Junior Achievement (JA) Europe are announcing a collaboration that aims to inspire more than 9,000 students aged 15-24 across 8 European countries.
The two organizations share a vision of a future where young people have the skills and mindset to create thriving communities, and a belief that STEM and entrepreneurial skills will play a key role in preparing the next generation to work in the global economy.
The innovative, hands-on approach will combine SAP’s technology competencies with JA Europe’s experience in youth entrepreneurship and education to enable students to gain real-world skills and explore entrepreneurship as an effective career path.
“It is crucial not only to educate Europe’s youth, but also to ensure their integration into the world of work after graduation. Through this collaboration with SAP, we aim to open up career opportunities as widely as possible by developing entrepreneurship, financial literacy and STEM skills in students to prepare them for employment,” said Salvatore Nigro, CEO of JA Europe.
According to him, work readiness requires a broad set of skills, and the learning experiences we are developing with SAP will provide European youth with the necessary competencies to take advantage of the opportunities of the digital and green economy while ensuring a positive impact on society.
“We are excited to start a new journey with SAP, as our combined efforts will empower European youth. The true power of partnership lies in shared values and a common vision. Together, we are launching a project that has enormous potential to help young Europeans become work-ready for a secure future,” says Diana Philip, Deputy CEO and Chief Development Officer, JA Europe.
The companies plan to reach a total of 9,377 young Europeans in the current 2023-2024 academic year with the support of 259 SAP volunteers who will accompany the training.
“At SAP, we believe that today’s environmental and social challenges are closely interconnected and need to be addressed holistically,” emphasizes Claire Gillissen-Duval, Senior Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, EMEA and MEE, SAP.
“JA Europe is a leading organization and part of the global network of JA Worldwide, providing young people with hands-on, real-world entrepreneurship, employability and financial literacy training. JA’s series of events serve as a catalyst for change, providing a platform to empower young entrepreneurs to overcome challenges, which promotes long-term impact and creates equitable access to economic opportunity, education and employment. Together with Junior Achievement, our future is undoubtedly in the right hands,” concludes Claire Gillissen-Duval.
The partnership between SAP and Junior Achievement is actively developing in Ukraine. SAP Ukraine Managing Director Anna Mikulytska joined the Supervisory Board of JA Ukraine. Thanks to the partnership between the two organizations, 2,000 young people will be involved in entrepreneurship training in the 2023-2024 academic year. Mentors from SAP Ukraine will support the educational process under the Junior Achievement Company program.
