SAP SE today announced moreprograms designed to achieve SAP’s ongoing goal of equipping two million people in India with AI-ready skills by 2030, helping address the country’s demand for digital talent, and preparing peoplefor opportunities in an AI-powered economy. Building on its extensive established learning, certification and workforce-development programmes, SAP will work with academic institutions, industry partners, government bodies and community organisations to expand access to practical skills in AI, cloud, data and enterprise technologies at scale.
With 28% of the world’s STEM workforce and 23% of global software engineering talent, India is strongly positioned as a leader in the AI economy. Demand is already evident across SAP’s learning ecosystem, with India accounting for approximately 48% of SAP’s certified learners worldwide, underscoring its role in SAP’s global talent ecosystem. The India commitment contributes to SAP’s global pledge to equip 12 million people worldwide with AI-ready skills by 2030, and connects technology education with the practical expertise needed to apply AI in business and industry
“The foundation of India’s strength in technology has always been its people. Preparing Indian talent for the next wave of innovation requires sustained investment in how people learn, apply their skills, and apply that in their careers,” said Manish Prasad, President & Managing Director, SAP Indian Subcontinent. “SAP India already provides a strong foundation. Of the 2 million people we expect to train in AI skills before 2030, nearly 13% have already participatedthrough certification, student education and community programmes. These includeemployees of SAP customers, partners and employees who are already building professional expertise; as well as students exploring SAP technologies, and underserved communities gaining access to STEM learning. The 2030 commitmentwill help more people build the capabilities to contribute to India’s AI-led growth.”
SAP will advance its commitment through a comprehensive ecosystem of partnerships spanning government, academia, industry, and community organisations, helping expand access to AI and digital skills across India.
- Strengthening skilling through government and state partnerships
SAP collaborates with state governments and skill-development institutions across India to align technology skilling with regional workforce priorities. Through initiatives such as the Future Right Skills Network, SAP also works with industry partners and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to strengthen AI and workplace readiness among vocational learners. The initiative combines foundational AI learning, communication skills and industry exposure for students at Industrial Training Institutes, helping them apply technology in practical workplace settings.
- Connecting academic learning with industry practice
Through SAP University Alliances, SAP Learning Hub Student Edition and collaborations with leading educational institutions, SAP helps students gain industry-relevant skills and hands-on experience. These initiatives also provide pathways to certification in AI, cloud, data and enterprise technologies. The programmes combine SAP-certified learning with practical industry experience for engineering students across disciplines.The Career Readiness Training Programme launched recently by PwC India and SAP India, with KIIT Bhubaneswar illustrates this approach.
- Professional and workforce upskilling
SAP’s learning and certification portfolio enables students, early-career talent and experienced professionals to build practical expertise in emerging technologies, including AI-enabled business applications, through role-based learning, hands-on practice and industry-recognised credentials. Performance-based assessments validate how learners apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios, including using SAP Joule for Consultants, connecting certification more closely with the capabilities employers need.
- Inclusive pathways to the AI economy.
SAP’s inclusive skilling programmes bring practical technology education to women, unemployed graduates and young people beyond established technology hubs. SAP’s STEM and community programmes offer over 1,100 combined curriculum hours in AI, digital and workplace skills, alongside mentoring and employment support. Furthermore, with programmes such as Code Unnati, Digital Academy and AI Careers for Women, SAP connects technical training with hands-on projects and career guidance, helping a broader pool of learners, including those in Tier 2 and Tier 3 locations, prepare for technology careers.
As AI becomes embedded across every business function, the measure of workforce readiness will move beyond familiarity with technology to the ability to apply it with context, confidence and purpose. Together, these programmes connect technology education with practical application and workplace readiness, strengthening India’s talent base and widening access to opportunities in the AI economy.