Join SAP: Corporate Champions for Education Head to Colombia in 2019

Apr 16, 2019 10:00 AM ET

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 16, 2019 /3BL Media/ – SAP is seeking like-minded companies of all sizes to collaborate and address the pervasive skills gap around Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).   Working with PYXERA Global, SAP is leveraging the extensive experience and capability of their employees to address the issue, as well as making opportunities available to the employees of other companies through the Corporate Champions for Education. The program places sponsoring companies' employees in short-term, skills-based service assignments with non-profit organizations to improve educational outcomes and open opportunities for people in under-served communities.

“As a market leader in enterprise application software, SAP’s enduring purpose is to help the world run better and improve people’s lives,” said Alexandra van der Ploeg, SAP’s Head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). “Our CSR focus is to foster opportunities for the current and future workforce through digital inclusion.”

Like all Global Pro Bono programs, this is a ‘triple win.’ For participants, it’s an unparalleled opportunity to develop global leadership competencies. For the non-profits that host, it’s expertise (through consulting) that would otherwise be unavailable to them to build capability to better serve their students and clientele. For the companies who participate, it’s insight into new markets, authentic reputations in CSR, and a powerful way to engage and develop employees, all while increasing diversity and inclusion in the new economy.

Commitments to join Corporate Champions for Education are due May 31, 2019 for the next cohort, which will travel to Colombia in September 2019. 

“Corporate Champions for Education is unique, because it places high performing employees from multiple companies together,” said Amanda MacArthur, Chief Program Officer for PYXERA Global. “’In this program, the participants will work with organizations that focus on basic literacy and numeracy skills; youth skill and job readiness; or skilling or re-skilling adults—it all depends on the specific needs of the community.”

SAP and PYXERA Global have extensive experience deploying employees on global pro bono assignments to address some of the most challenging problems in the world. This cohort is designed to accelerate global leadership skills, provide a comparative corporate culture and competency experience, and build capacity in underserved markets to close the skills gap.

 “We’ve had the pleasure of partnering with SAP for the last seven years through their Social Sabbatical, and we’re delighted that we’ll be able to extend that opportunity to other companies through the Corporate Champions for Education,” said Deirdre White, PYXERA Global CEO. “We always talk about the ‘triple win’ of Global Pro Bono activities, which serve as excellent leadership development programs, at the same time they bring much needed expertise to organizations in underserved communities—enabling them to better meet challenges embodied within the Global Goals. Companies gain as well, through new insights and well-deserved reputations for corporate social responsibility.”

SAP funds the underlying program development and administration of the program, which will be implemented by PYXERA Global. Collaborating companies pay a flat fee for each participant, inclusive of travel, hotel, and food, as well as training and on-the-ground support.

For more information, https://www.pyxeraglobal.org/corporate-champions-education/.

About PYXERA Global (@PYXERAGlobal)
For nearly 30 years, PYXERA Global has leveraged the unique strengths of corporations, governments, and social sector organizations to solve complex problems, on the ground, and attain mutually beneficial goals. Initiatives include a wide range of services, from short term immersive skills-based volunteering to long-term integrated supply chain and community development efforts that transform lives and livelihoods, including the Corporate Champions for Education, a collaborative, multi-company approach to global pro bono. The PYXERA Global team is passionate and dedicated to navigating challenges and pinpointing purposeful global engagement opportunities for its clients and partners.