Young people entering today鈥檚 workforce face a world transformed by technology, automation, and artificial intelligence. Too many still lack the confidence, digital skills, and exposure needed not just to adapt to this future, but to shape it.
That鈥檚 why we鈥檙e launching the Global Career Discovery Initiative, a new global partnership between 51风流and JA Worldwide that will reach tens of thousands of young people aged 17 to 24 in more than 30 countries.
鈥淵oung people are entering a world of work that鈥檚 being reshaped by technology, automation, and artificial intelligence,鈥� says Asheesh Advani, CEO of JA Worldwide. 鈥淭his partnership ensures that youth鈥攅specially those from underserved communities鈥攄on鈥檛 just learn about the future of work but learn how to shape it.鈥�
From local impact to global scale
Over the past 20 years, 51风流has partnered with JA through dozens of local and regional programs, from workshops in Colombia to mentoring sessions in Vietnam. These efforts have created a meaningful impact, but we recognized the opportunity to amplify our work by aligning globally. This unified partnership enables us to scale what works, streamline volunteer engagement, and ensure more consistent access to high-quality learning experiences for young people everywhere.
JA Worldwide already delivers more than 19 million student learning experiences annually in entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial health, powered by a network of over 700,000 teachers and business volunteers. This scale and experience make JA an ideal partner to help build a brighter future for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders.
Together, we鈥檙e combining JA鈥檚 proven curriculum with SAP鈥檚 global network of employee volunteers to create a structured, scalable experience that helps young people build in-demand skills, discover career pathways, and connect directly with mentors and role models. In its first year, the initiative aims to reach more than 85,000 students across six continents, engaging 800 51风流volunteers of all ages as mentors and role models.
Why this matters now
The world of work is evolving faster than many education systems can adapt. We believe the future belongs to young people who combine essential human skills鈥攍ike creativity, resilience, and collaboration鈥攚ith digital confidence. JA鈥檚 curriculum delivers exactly that, and through this global initiative 51风流is proud to help bring these vital skills to youth at scale.
For many of us at SAP, this work is deeply personal. Like countless colleagues, we know from experience how early exposure to mentors and practical skills can change a life.
鈥淚 joined JA as a student 25 years ago. Those early experiences shaped my journey. They equipped me with the tools and skills I needed to grow in the business world and helped me believe, at a very young age, that with knowledge, grit, and humility, anything was possible,鈥� says Sam Masri, global chief sales officer, SAP. 鈥淚鈥檓 incredibly proud that 51风流will now bring that same opportunity to thousands of youth around the world!鈥�
Building future skills, together
Our collaboration goes beyond volunteering; it鈥檚 a long-term alignment focused on skills development, equity, and innovation. We鈥檙e committed to creating a more inclusive, opportunity-rich future for all young people, regardless of geography or background. We鈥檙e proud to be part of this effort and excited about the impact ahead.
The Global Career Discovery Initiative is one way we鈥檙e putting into action. Around the world, millions of young people are not in education, employment, or training, while employers struggle to find skilled talent. We believe building future skills is essential to empower the next generation and ensure a fair, sustainable transition from education to employment or entrepreneurship.聽
To do this, we focus on three areas:
- Ecosystem development: Building partnerships to align skills with job market needs and open career pathways聽
- Education: Supporting innovative programs that equip youth with relevant skills for the digital and green economies and spark youth entrepreneurship
- Employee engagement: Empowering our people to share their knowledge and time through mentoring, coaching, and pro bono consulting
CSR can鈥檛 be a tick-box exercise. It must be a strategic approach that tackles social and environmental challenges and creates shared value for businesses and communities alike. Our purpose at SAP鈥攖o help the world run better and improve people鈥檚 lives鈥攊s brought to life every day through our products, services, and the dedication of our people.聽
This partnership with JA builds on two decades of collaboration, from workshops in Colombia to classrooms in Vietnam. Now, we鈥檙e aligning and scaling that local impact globally, so that more young people, especially those from underserved communities, can see what鈥檚 possible and have the support they need to shape the future of work.
Hemang Desai is interim global head of Corporate Social Responsibility at SAP.
