SAP launches academy network to improve access to training and certification
Sydney, Australia — SAP Australia today announced the formation of a nationwide network of academies, which will be hosted by established Universities and partner-led training centres across the country. The academies will provide access to training and certification in the latest SAP business software to address the growing market need for SAP skills.
In a partner-led arrangement, several Universities across the country will host the uAcademy centres and Ajilon, a SAP-certified training provider, will host the eAcademies.
“Until now, SAP has run instructor-led training courses from SAP Education facilities around Australia, with courses running during business hours throughout the year,” said Angie Vaux, business unit manager for SAP Education, SAP Australia New Zealand. “Under the new training framework, SAP provides course content, but will extend reach and frequency through self-paced e-learning solution academies managed by specialist training providers and the higher education sector.”
New revenue streams for University sector
The University hosted centres, or uAcademies, will offer a blended course over one year to University post-graduates and under-graduates.
Paul Hawking, SAP Academic programs director at Victoria University, said, “Victoria University’s business software curriculum will be enhanced with the addition of the uAcademy initiative. A blended learning approach will enable students to add solution specific SAP Certification to their business software related academic qualifications. Both students and industry will benefit from this learning initiative.”
The uAcademies expand on SAP’s existing engagement with the University sector and enable the Universities to extend their range of fee-paying courses. The current SAP University Alliance Program provides relevant faculties with access to SAP technology for practical and business scenario based tuition.
More flexible and convenient learning regime for SAP consultants
The first partner-led training centre, or eAcademy, will be run by SAP Education partner, Ajilon, a global ICT business consulting and solutions firm. Ajilon will provide access to SAP solution training via self-paced e-learning Academies in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Canberra in addition to the existing SAP Education facilities.
Brett Findlay, Ajilon’s SAP regional director Asia-Pacific, said, “Ajilon, like SAP, recognises that learning needs are constantly evolving. This partnership provides existing and prospective SAP consultants with an opportunity to assemble and grow their SAP knowledge, any time they want, in a virtual environment that overcomes the limitations of a classroom experience. This effectively puts consultants in charge of their own career development and marketability, rather than having to fit into a pre-determined training schedule.”
The eAcademies are designed to improve the convenience and cost-effectiveness of SAP training for experienced consultants and professionals seeking a career change. The 200-hour course, which is 40 per cent less expensive than classroom based learning programs, can be completed by assessment over a period of five months.
“The demand from the business community for the latest SAP skills presents Australians with an exciting and lucrative career opportunity, whether they be recent graduates, seasoned professionals seeking a career change or existing SAP consultants,” said Vaux. “With this announcement, we are making it more convenient and less expensive for SAP consultants of all levels to acquire skills and certification in the latest SAP technology.”
“A regional content development and support infrastructure will be available to students,” continued Vaux. “These services which will be developed and delivered by SAP Education will play a key role in relation to the eAcademies where ‘high-touch’ support is key to ensuring high quality outcomes.”
Ajilon’s Findlay adds, “This flexible approach to learning empowers the business community by giving organisations the ability to up-skill their workers, when they want to and in the particular competencies that they need to successfully execute their SAP strategy.”
The announcement of this expansion of channels for people to access SAP Education coincides with the announcement of a new Certification grading, based largely upon the work experience of the individual – see separate announcement for more detail.
