BrazilDeloitte, AWS and SAP launch e-commerce program for Saudi youths
Deloitte has teamed up with technology giants AWS and SAP to launch a new e-commerce program for Saudi youths, with the aim of grooming them for a career in the rapidly growing field.
The hybrid program (online + offline formats) focuses on helping young Saudi citizens with learning about the latest trends in the e-commerce landscape, and addresses a range of topics that fuel the delivery of e-commerce, such as data analytics, digital marketing, cloud, and e-commerce logistics.
The program also covers several tech-driven topics such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analytics – key technologies that help e-commerce providers forecast demand, analyse marketing campaigns, and build personalised shopping experiences.
The program has since its launch received massive interest from Saudi youth, with over 7.000 applications sent in. Out of this group, 25 were selected to participate in the first batch, with several more flights planned in the coming months.
According to Rashid Bashir, Government & Public Services Leader at Deloitte Middle East, the program contributes to preparing Saudi’s future workforce for one of the key segments of the 21st century economy. The e-commerce market has over the past years seen stellar growth due to shifts to online consumption, both globally and in Saudi Arabia, a trend that has only accelerated during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The shift to e-commerce is mainly driven by the kingdom’s young population, increasing broadband and smartphone penetration rates, and the government's growing focus on e-commerce,” said Bashir.
Enabling the growth of the e-commerce scene is a bustling business ecosystem, which “hinged on the supply of skilled Saudi youth,” he added. “Our program creates a springboard for participants into exciting e-commerce careers and increases their employment opportunities in the field.”
Ahmed Al-Faifi, Senior Vice President and Managing Director at SAP Middle East North, added: “This program equips participants with the skills needed to accelerate digital and e-commerce transformations in Saudi Arabia and empowers them to become SAP certified professionals.”
“It was a great pleasure to contribute to this boot camp by providing essential cloud skills learning to support Saudi Arabia’s youth in driving successful e-commerce businesses. The trainees benefitted from learning easy-to-use AWS cloud solutions that can support their e-commerce capabilities,” remarked Omar Haj Saleh, Public Sector Lead at AWS in Saudi Arabia.
Senior officials present during launch
The program was formally launched at the Deloitte Digital Center in Riyadh, and was attended by several senior Saudi officials, including the Minister of Commerce and acting Minister of Media of Saudi Arabia, Majid Al Qasabi, Deputy Minister of Commerce Eman Al-Mutairi, along with Abdullah Bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi and Saad Al Qarni, President and CEO respectively of the Saudi Data and AI Authority.
