Govt launches SAP skills program to ensure jobs for 80% of trainees

ISLAMABAD: In a significant step forward, the Government of Pakistan has announced a move to ensure that 80% of the SAP-certified trainees are employed locally or internationally under the Ignite National Technology Fund.

The program, which is outlined in the RFP by Ignite, looks toward the training of 2,500 Pakistani youth in high-demand SAP certifications with the aim of positioning Pakistan as a global supplier of skilled IT professionals.

The SAP Skills Development and Employment Facilitation Program will be conducted in two batches, comprising 1,000 trainees in the first batch and 1,500 in the second. Training centers will operate in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi.

Besides SAP technical training, soft skills development, CV building, interview coaching, and beginner language courses in German and Arabic will also be provided to equip participants with skills that will enable them to compete in international job employment markets.

It is expected that job placement efforts will be targeted at countries such as Saudi Arabia, Germany, the EU, Japan, the Middle East, and the Americas.

Ignite has explained that the program offers a formal, legal route to employment worldwide, one that would disincentivize illegal migration. While there will be a small commitment fee on the part of trainees, the selected contractor will be responsible for ensuring participants go through training and certification exams.

A German international partner will support Global Demand Mapping & Employer Outreach to reinforce the job placement prospects.

The program will be implemented by a private-sector contractor that is competitively selected. Only authorized SAP partners or Value Added Resellers are eligible, and they must demonstrate the ability to train thousands of candidates in multiple geographies.

The RFP has very strict requirements for transparency, anti-corruption clauses, and allows Ignite to terminate for non-performance. Compliance shall be ensured through a Project Review Committee consisting of Ignite, SAP Pakistan, the contractor, and the German partner.

The second batch will follow, based on the satisfactory outcomes related to certification pass rates and job placements. The 25-month project is expected to lead to a manifold increase in Pakistan’s IT workforce export potential, while it aligns with the PM’s Digital Vision and opens avenues for thousands of youth in Pakistan to access highly valued global careers.