New boost for Saudi IT industry as SAP bolsters training options

Fast Lane Computer Consultancy is set to help SAP up-skill workforces in the Kingdom, with a particular focus on certification training in key company offerings such as enterprise resource planning.

Additional partners across MENA are expected to be announced in the coming months.

The news represents a significant addition to the SAP Education entity, which is one of the world's largest IT training organizations with more than 400 classroom based courses and in excess of 100 e-based courses.

It will also have a notable impact on SAP's ambitious expansion plans in the MENA region, which includes certifying 2,000 new consultants within the next four years and increasing the localization of SAP solutions to meet fast-growing regional industry needs.

"We are delighted to welcome Fast Lane Computer Consultancy on board to add considerable value to our education offering," said Ahmed Al-Faifi, Managing Director, SAP Saudi Arabia. "SAP certifications are globally recognized demonstrations of excellence, and a clear competitive advantage. We take enormous pride from the fact that all of our trainees will walk away with dramatically enhanced career credentials and, crucially, find themselves equipped with key skills that can positively benefit the region's burgeoning IT industry."

SAP trained 2,700 individuals across the MENA region in 2012. A series of new partner deals in the coming months is likely to markedly improve on that figure this year.

"Saudi Arabia is one of SAP's most exciting markets globally, so it is crucial for our development across the country that we continue to align with the industry's most experienced and capable partners The new training partners will support market demand and add further momentum to SAP's ongoing four year additional spend plan across MENA," said Sam Alkharrat, Managing Director, SAP MENA.

"Highlights of this plan include recruiting more than 500 additional employees, opening several new offices, as well as expanding the company's partner ecosystem. Additionally, significant increases will be made in the availability of comprehensive, innovative and localized service offerings."

"SAP is proud to bolster its ability to deliver education courses and certifications specifically designed to drive greater organizational proficiency," said Jaco Van Zyl, Education Director, SAP MENA. "We stand out because we develop comprehensive training plans, manage talent, and enable end users - with both live and online courses - using market-leading learning software. Our core motivation is to help businesses run better, to empower employees and to inspire industry-wide innovation."