Key Giveaways:
- AI Skills Gap: A new SAP survey reveals a surge in demand for AI expertise in the UAE, with 84% of companies planning to hire specialized AI staff.
- Investing in Training: SAP is actively addressing the skills gap through its Young Professionals Program and Dual Study Program, providing high-value technology training to Emirati graduates and university students.
- Collaboration for Success: SAP partners with UAE universities and employers to ensure its training programs align with industry needs and equip participants with practical AI skills and knowledge.
Dubai, UAE – A recent survey commissioned by SAP has revealed a significant increase in demand for AI talent across various industries in the UAE. This surge is driven by the rapid adoption of AI applications in business, but many companies face challenges in finding skilled employees to implement and manage these technologies.
The survey found that 43% of IT decision-makers in the UAE identify a lack of skilled employees as a key challenge to implementing AI. To address this gap, 84% of UAE companies plan to hire specialized AI staff within the next 15 months.
In addition to hiring new talent, companies are also investing in training existing employees. While 57% of surveyed companies have already implemented AI training programs, another 35% plan to do so in the coming year.
SAP is actively contributing to addressing this skills gap through its Young Professionals Program (YPP) and Dual Study Program (DSP). These initiatives provide high-value technology training to Emirati graduates and university students, equipping them with essential AI skills and knowledge.
“Large-scale digital transformation, the rapid evolution of AI, and the need for a highly skilled UAE workforce to sustain a diversified, digital economy are all contributing to a surge in demand for employees with advanced technology skills,” says SAP UAE Managing Director Marwan Zeineddine.
The YPP offers comprehensive training in SAP technologies, including AI, analytics, and enterprise resource planning solutions. It has a strong track record of success, with a 95% placement rate globally for graduates.
“SAP has provided high-value training to multiple cohorts of top Emirati candidates as part of the Young Professionals Program for over a decade,” says Zeineddine.
The DSP, run by SAP’s Digital Skills Center, provides university students with hands-on technology experience to complement their academic studies. This program covers various areas, including AI, business process integration, and essential soft skills.
“This partnership aligns with our student-centric approach by giving our students a competitive edge in the workforce with firsthand practical experience of SAP’s industry-leading technology solutions to support their solid academic knowledge,” says Dr. Zied Bahroun, Professor in Industrial Engineering at American University of Sharjah, a participant in the DSP.
By collaborating with universities and employers, SAP ensures its training programs align with industry needs and equip participants with the practical skills and knowledge required to thrive in the evolving digital landscape. This commitment to skills development is crucial for supporting the UAE’s digital transformation goals and fostering a sustainable, highly-skilled workforce.
