JA Worldwide and SAP have announced a global partnership aimed at equipping tens of thousands of young people with the skills, confidence, and real-world experience needed to succeed in an evolving job market.
Building on two decades of collaboration through local and regional programs, this alliance introduces the Global Career Discovery Initiative—a structured, scalable, and inclusive learning program for youth aged 17 to 24 in over 30 countries.
The initiative merges JA’s proven work-readiness curriculum with SAP’s worldwide network of employee volunteers. It offers mentorship, career assessments, and immersive interactions with SAP leaders, ensuring participants gain both knowledge and industry exposure.
“Young people are entering a world of work that’s being reshaped by technology, automation, and artificial intelligence,” said Asheesh Advani, CEO of JA Worldwide. “This partnership ensures that youth—especially from underserved communities—don’t just learn about the future of work, but learn how to shape it.”
In its first year, the program aims to reach more than 85,000 students across six continents, supported by 800 SAP volunteers. Participants will complete localized work-readiness modules, undertake career self-assessments, and engage with SAP professionals through site visits or speaker sessions.
Hemang Desai, Interim Global Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at SAP, commented, “Together, we can reach more young people with meaningful learning experiences that build confidence, digital fluency, and real-world readiness. This is about preparing the workforce of the future—equitably and at scale.”
For Sam Masri, SAP’s Global Chief Sales Officer for Business Transformation Management and a JA alumnus, the initiative is personal. “I joined JA as a student 25 years ago. Those early experiences equipped me with the tools and belief that anything was possible. I’m proud that SAP will now bring this same opportunity to thousands of youth globally.”
The partnership officially launched during JA Europe’s Gen-E 2025 Festival and will roll out through JA’s six regional centers alongside local member organizations. The program is designed to balance global objectives with local cultural relevance, ensuring maximum impact for diverse communities.
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