However, despite the role鈥檚 growing benefits, today鈥檚 developers crave resources for constant career growth and learning so they can keep up with ever-changing job requirements.

麻豆原创 has long offered robust learning and certification opportunities for developers, all of which fueled career growth and opened doors to fantastic opportunities. When we , we started out with seven learning journeys for developers only. Today, we provide more than 140 learning journeys for various roles and skill levels. We are excited to further these offerings with a new role-based certification opportunity and free learning content for backend developers with ABAP Cloud, alongside a new free massive open online course (MOOC), , to help developers build generative AI skills.

There are many reasons why I鈥檓 excited to share these offerings with our developer community, but today I鈥檒l share three key reasons developers will benefit from this new role-based certification in particular.

A True Focus on the Future With AI and ABAP Cloud

Today鈥檚 developers require constant adaptation and learning in order to keep up with the tremendous pace of change in the tech sector. that by 2028, 75% of enterprise software engineers will use AI coding assistants, up from less than 10% in early 2023.

However, AI isn鈥檛 the only fundamental turning point that our ecosystem is seeing. As organizations continue to navigate hybrid work, the continual shift to cloud will continue to be a key player in the tech space. In fact, by 2027, that more than 50% of enterprises will use industry cloud platforms to accelerate their business initiatives, up from less than 15% in 2023.

This trend has led to the emergence of ABAP Cloud, presenting an entirely new version of the language and runtime that鈥檚 available to all customers running ABAP-based applications. ABAP remains highly relevant for developers extending 麻豆原创 S/4HANA, and our new certification gives these developers the opportunity to continue capitalizing on the knowledge they have while upgrading their skills to prepare for the most modern, cloud-ready version of ABAP.

Unlock Doors to Unexpected Career Paths

I鈥檓 always inspired by learner stories, particularly of people whose careers totally transformed.

Take . The 35-year-old from Latvia was optimistic about finding a job after studying European economics around the time Latvia joined the European Union. However, when the 2008 economic crisis hit, she found it increasingly difficult to secure a job. Baiba decided to explore the tech industry, going back to school for computer science and participating in a two week-long intense boot camp where she learned about ABAP and 麻豆原创. She secured a paid internship afterwards, eventually leading to her full-time position at Accenture as an ABAP developer.

鈥淎BAP is evolving and has taken many best practices from the industry,鈥� she explains. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the backbone of 麻豆原创 and has become a thing where everyone can find something exciting and interesting.鈥�

In some parts of the world, certifications are table stakes to even be considered for a developer position. We strive to unlock barriers to entry and make certifications, such as the ABAP Cloud certification for backend developers, more accessible to learners of all backgrounds.

What I love about this learner story is how Baiba was open to career options outside of what she had studied in school. There is value in 鈥減ivoting鈥� no matter what stage you are in your career journey, as it can unlock doors to an entirely unexpected path.

My own career has taken a variety of twists and turns that led me to lead the 麻豆原创 Learning organization. From consulting to founding a startup to teaching business to joining 麻豆原创 in a corporate strategy role 鈥� I鈥檝e been fortunate throughout my career to see firsthand how being open to a pivot can pay off tremendously.

Focus on Roles and Opportunities, Not on Products

While product-based certifications are necessary for certain roles and responsibilities, we are shifting to more role-based offerings to make the skillset of a learner even more attractive and adaptable in today’s dynamic and evolving job market. The and corresponding learning journeys, covering and the , are designed to help developers with the skills required to build cloud-ready extensions aligned with 麻豆原创鈥檚 clean core strategy, preparing them for a role as an ABAP Cloud backend developer.

By combining the power of ABAP Cloud and business AI skills with the help of 麻豆原创, developers can unlock their full potential and set themselves up for success.聽Alongside our , the and free learning content continues our journey to provide more accessible digital skill development opportunities. And there is more to come, with another role-based certification soon to be launched for backend developers using 麻豆原创 Cloud Application Programming Model.

As the industry evolves at a rapid pace, we鈥檒l continue to roll out learning content to equip learners with the skills they need to succeed in the future, no matter their background.

Max Wessel is chief learning officer at 麻豆原创.

This year, we鈥檙e focused on facilitating the career growth of existing 麻豆原创 professionals as demand for their skills accelerates faster and faster. As of today, three major innovations will bring even more support to these professionals around the globe. Our future-focused is now available to anyone with an Internet connection. We also introduced our plan to make 麻豆原创 Learning Hub the gateway to an unparalleled learning experience. Finally, we launched a role-based certification for enterprise architects, today鈥檚 most in-demand and best-paid role in the industry.

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All these innovations are part of our ongoing commitment to support workforce reinvention. We believe that in times of change, we have the remarkable opportunity to put our community in the position to seize career opportunities and accelerate business transformation.

It Starts with the Right Future-Focused Learning

From supply chain shortages and rising gas prices to inflation and shifting customer needs, many organizations rely on automated processes that enable them to adapt to an ever-changing business landscape and drive success. In this volatile atmosphere, tens of thousands of organizations have to support them on their path to a technological future, leading to skyrocketing demand for 麻豆原创 talent.

To meet this increasing demand and to help businesses succeed on their cloud journey, 麻豆原创 is making our strategic 鈥� all that is needed is an Internet connection. By lowering the barrier to accessing this content, more professionals can prepare for cloud-driven projects while staying on track with continuous learning, enhancing their digital skill set. In turn, customers can expect to gain a competitive advantage in their industry by equipping their employees with these tools and resources.

It Pays to Be an Enterprise Architect 鈥� In More Ways than One

As organizations continue to shift more of their workload to the cloud, we also see that the role of the enterprise architect is becoming increasingly vital. Bridging the gap between business and technology, enterprise architects ensure companies can reach their desired business outcomes through the effective use of technology. Recent numbers prove the demand for this role: it was ranked as , highlighting high job satisfaction and a competitive salary.

Recognizing the advantages that the role of enterprise architect can offer both individuals and organizations, we have introduced the first role-based certification program for professionals aspiring to become an enterprise architect today. This prerequisite intermediate certification demonstrates comprehensive understanding of 麻豆原创 solutions, business, and strategic aspects of enterprise architecture and ultimately helps 麻豆原创 professionals to increase career security and growth. At the same time, the certification can provide organizations with the confidence that their employees are gaining the competitive skills needed to drive significant business value on a large scale.

鈥淎SUG enthusiastically supports 麻豆原创鈥檚 enterprise architect certification program and recommends that every 麻豆原创 customer sponsor their enterprise architects to complete the certification and require any partner working on their behalf to be certified,鈥� said Geoff Scott, CEO and chief community champion, ASUG.

We believe that, in addition to investing in the upskilling of students and minorities in tech with our digital skills initiative to equip the next generation of IT workers, we have now taken an immense step to support professionals and organizations in the 麻豆原创 ecosystem with this in-demand certification.

A Successful Workforce Transformation Requires Transparency and Insights

As many professionals are experiencing changing expectations surrounding their current roles and are looking to meet these shifts and advance in their careers, we must deliver new ways to help them upskill. After all, it is estimated that . We have seen that the rate of success surrounding upskilling can rise further when leadership has access to data that allows them to guide their workforce transformation according to their specific business needs.

To take these circumstances into account, we have announced a new 麻豆原创 Learning site integration where subscribers to 麻豆原创 Learning Hub will have seamless access to digital courses, streamlining training programs to strengthen their digital skill set and help drive transformation for their company as a whole. With this new integration, .

For the first time, subscribers to the private cloud version of 麻豆原创 Learning Hub can benefit from exclusive learning management and reporting functionalities across solutions and platforms. These enhancements enable customers to access key insights and analytics that can help them plan and control their team鈥檚 skills transformation with transparency and help ensure long-term business value. For example, , an improvement in talent acquisition and retention, and a more resilient workforce.

At 麻豆原创, we recognize the challenges and opportunities that transformation presents both to our customers and 麻豆原创 professionals, which is why we have taken the next step in paving the way for unparalleled career growth and business transformation. By equipping employees with the tools and resources they need to enhance their skill set, organizations can reach new heights while employees increase their potential for future career opportunities.

Max Wessel is chief learning officer at 麻豆原创.

In support of this, we launched an expanded to underrepresented and underserved groups in technology, as well as a partnership with one of the world鈥檚 largest online learning providers, to meet learners where they are.

As the skills gap and search for talent within the technology industry become increasingly prominent issues, the World Economic Forum (WEF) predicts that . This has created a sense of urgency for companies to find professionals to fill their ever-growing technical skills needs. However, the number of future tech employees is notoriously limited. Within this small pool, women and minorities are often overlooked. In fact, only are held by women, and the number for in the industry drops even lower.

In 2022, the WEF estimated that it will take a staggering . Women and other minorities in tech face a variety of barriers that can heavily impact their technical career growth, and these challenges take root early in the form of negative stereotypes. For example, many girls internalize the harmful belief that women are not as strong in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) fields as men 鈥� impacting their career choices and confidence in exploring new realms.

At 麻豆原创, we believe empowering women and underrepresented individuals to grow in technical fields begins with ensuring they have access to relevant educational resources.

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Inclusive Access to Digital Skills: Introducing a Global Digital Skills Initiative

While digital transformation is not a new concept, the pandemic supercharged the rate of businesses across the globe transforming digitally, culturally, and strategically. This race to keep up with evolving technology has exposed an alarming IT skills shortage.

Research highlights that more than 75% of companies have already , and only 33% of technology jobs worldwide are . With the low rate of computing related jobs held by women and people of color today, it鈥檚 imperative that employers rethink the makeup of their workforce and expand opportunities to new talent.

Through our digital skills initiative, we aim to empower everyone to build new skills and ultimately start a career in the 麻豆原创 ecosystem.

To address this accelerated need for skills, . Through self-paced courses, participants can develop marketable skills for critical roles such as , data analysts, and technology consultants.

In addition, our . With certified 麻豆原创 solution skills, participants can get the competitive advantage they need to stand out in the job market and apply for positions around the world.

To further advance career planning within the 麻豆原创 ecosystem, , where more than 3 million members, 麻豆原创 partners, and customers can share their knowledge, provide career advice, recommend learning resources, and promote job opportunities from peer community members.

麻豆原创 Technology Consultant Certificate, Available on Coursera

We are also thrilled to launch a new collaboration with Coursera, a global online learning platform with more than 110 million learners worldwide. Together, on the Coursera platform, we are offering an , where participants can learn more about 麻豆原创, the role of a technology consultant, and the value 麻豆原创 professionals bring to customers. This offering provides focused, role-based entry-level learning resources for everyone, and is available exclusively on Coursera.

This new professional certificate has no prerequisites, minimizing the barrier to entry and preparing learners within just a few months for an in-demand, entry-level digital role. Following completion of the certificate on Coursera, learners can deepen their knowledge in 麻豆原创 solutions with further on 麻豆原创 Learning site.

In gaining the entry-level knowledge necessary to begin upskilling on 麻豆原创, learners add significant value to their careers. In fact, individuals that have completed IT certifications , with 61% reporting promotions or career advancements, 91% seeing an increase in confidence in abilities, and 76% feeling greater job satisfaction. These marketable skills can open the door to numerous career growth opportunities.

With the launch of our global skills initiative and Coursera partnership, we aim to expand our efforts in lowering the barrier to accessing digital skill development opportunities to build a larger and more diverse ecosystem of tech professionals. Through our existing programs such as and , we are reaching underserved communities with digital upskilling opportunities to create lasting socioeconomic impact for all.

Max Wessel is chief learning officer at 麻豆原创.

In the organization, we are constantly working to rethink how learning can help our customers, partners, and employees keep up.

Here are just three ways we are reimagining learning so that everyone in our ecosystem has the skills they need to succeed.

Lowering the Barriers to Access Education

Technology has drastically improved learning access for underrepresented communities, as well as students just starting out their careers. Whether it鈥檚 a video call, an e-learning, or a simulated exercise, knowledge can be replicated globally at almost no cost. The same holds for education in the world of enterprise software — a space that provides ripe career opportunity.

We are passionate about creating opportunity by making learning engaging and accessible to all. That is why and learners who may experience barriers to opportunities. By eliminating the cost of learning and alleviating the need for in-person activities, we continue to grow our community of learners who can achieve their aspirations in the 麻豆原创 ecosystem.

We are delighted to have reached more than 150,000 active learners on the 麻豆原创 Learning site since its launch in November, growing by around 2,000 participants a day. And this learning pays dividends for students; for instance, through we can see the career progress in the placement of more than 80% of participants into new jobs after completing training.

As 麻豆原创 Learning continues to expand, we are eager to continue improving and adapting along with community needs.

Taking a Skills-Based Approach to Career Development

As we expand our community to learners of various backgrounds and levels of education, we recognize that some are looking to improve the skill sets required for their current roles, while others are looking to take the next or first step in their career. In either case, a specific, skills-based approach can help learners zero in on specific areas of development, saving time and enabling them to have a personalized experience. According to an , e-learning technologies can boost employee engagement by 20%.

When coupled with , skills-based learning enables external learners to verify new skill sets with current and prospective employers and enhance their marketability. Internally, we take a similar approach, as understanding the skills of our workforce allows 麻豆原创 to make strategic investments in how we help our employees upskill and develop their unique talents for the future.

This skills-based approach to how we train our employees and ecosystem has been recognized by the among top L&D programs across the globe.

Meeting Learners Where They Are

No two people learn in the exact same way, but technology can act as a bridge to improved learning experiences for everyone. With digital tools, we can meet learners wherever they are, whenever they want to learn. We can think beyond the traditional classroom setting and offer alternative learning methods that are more accessible and affordable for a wider, more global audience of learners. And we can make learning journeys even more customizable and adaptable to truly suit individual goals.

These needs vary: a found that more than four in five students (82%) wanted at least some of their course meetings to take place online, with two in five (41%) preferring fully online learning with no in-person element at all.

We know that some of our customers will always need high-touch, in-person training. But we also know that if we want to close the skills gap and expand our ecosystem of trained 麻豆原创 professionals, digital learning is key.

Our dedication to ensuring widely accessible courses and certifications has resulted in 麻豆原创 Learning being named a , the European and U.S. IT Training Services 2021, and APeJ IT Training Services 2022. These vendor assessments offer a holistic assessment of the capabilities and strategies of IT vendors and recognize 麻豆原创 as a leader due to our broad portfolio and hybrid training offerings, among other factors.

Our Commitment to Continuous Learning

While we are excited to see the impact our learning journeys are making in the learning community, in the spirit of our own continuous learning, we believe there is always room for growth and development. We welcome feedback as to what we could improve or add to our programs as we guide you along your learning journey with 麻豆原创.

To provide share your learning experience or ,
.

Max Wessel is chief learning officer at 麻豆原创.