Preparing South African Students to Enter the Salesforce Ecosystem

It is no secret that nowadays the demand for digital skills is growing exponentially all around the world. To translate this into numbers, around 31,800 Salesforce related jobs are expected to be created in South Africa by 2026, and $154b new business revenue is expected to be generated in EMEA by 2026.¹

A promising future for South African Students

Salesforce educates University of Pretoria students on tools to launch their career in the tech ecosystem.

In the diverse landscape of South Africa, unemployment remains a pressing issue, especially among the youth. Currently, 4.9 million young people aged 15 to 34 are unemployed, and a staggering 74% unemployment rate is among those aged 18 to 29.  It is clear that urgent action is needed. However, amidst this challenging backdrop, Salesforce offers a glimmer of hope. With the prospects of new job opportunities, Salesforce's impact on the South African economy is set to be significant.²

Building the Future Workforce: Empowering South African Talent

Salesforce's recent IDC report on South Africa reveals an optimistic outlook for job creation and economic growth. Between 2018 and 2026, Salesforce is expected to inject a shoking $5.1 billion into the South African economy. Moreover, this influx of investment is projected to create approximately 31,800 net new jobs. These figures illustrate Salesforce's potential to make a substantial difference in a country grappling with high unemployment rates and economic disparities.³

However, to fully capitalize on this opportunity, it is essential to prioritize the development of local specialist skills. Successful implementations promote client satisfaction, which further improves Salesforce's positive effect in South Africa. Before this development took place, Erik de Wit, a Freelance Salesforce Consultant, had already been introducing the university students to Trailhead and Salesforce since 2019. As a result, some of these students are now actively working in the Salesforce ecosystem. Erik initiated several Salesforce Fundamentals training sessions and other engagements at the University of Pretoria. Additionally, he promoted Salesforce opportunities at the university through lectures and the establishment of a Salesforce Community Group for the students.

Salesforce talent strategy for Africa reflects its commitment to building a strong and diverse workforce. By creating awareness, converting diverse skill sets, setting standards, and providing structured learning journeys, Salesforce empowers different stakeholders (customers, partners, new talents). Additionally, by fostering partnerships and leading several initiatives, Salesforce is playing a pivotal role in shaping the digital skills landscape in Africa. As Salesforce continues to expand its footprint in the region, its talent strategy will serve as a guiding beacon, ensuring the growth and success of the entire Ecosystem.

On the road to success: a two-day experience full of learning

The goal was clear: a two-day Associate certification preparation course between the 6th and the 7th of July of 2023. This is the first step for the students which opens new opportunities both in the academic and work environment. Furthermore, it was the first in-person training after the COVID-19 pandemic; it was extra meaningful for both instructors and students. What was the secret to engaging with students? “I think the fact that we presented the Associate course was one of the best ways to get students excited about their Salesforce path - Studying for Admin is a longer and more difficult road - but Associate breaks this down to a first principles level with enough practicals to get them excited using Trailhead” - comments Adeline Cruywagen, Academic Ambassador of the project. 

No challenges were found on this road to amplify the future of the students, so the next steps are clear now: Salesforce career fair in South Africa led by Talent Alliance, and also continuing their journey and passing their associate certifications.

In the journey to create a career-ready workforce, collaboration between schools, universities, partners, customers, and country projects is crucial. South Africa's approach to empower talent involves aligning education with job prospects, building university partnerships, fostering specialized skills, enabling self-sufficiency among customers, and promoting collective collaboration in the Ecosystem. By adopting this comprehensive strategy, South Africa is positioning itself as a hub of skilled professionals, ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Adeline Cruywagen, Ursula Fear and Erik de Wit who brought this initiative to life.

In the journey to create a career-ready workforce, collaboration between schools, universities, partners, customers, and country projects is crucial. South Africa's approach to empower talent involves aligning education with job prospects, building university partnerships, fostering specialized skills, enabling self-sufficiency among customers, and promoting collective collaboration in the Ecosystem. By adopting this comprehensive strategy, South Africa is positioning itself as a hub of skilled professionals, ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the future.

What the Students Think:

Let’s continue this path together!

University of Pretoria Students have already begun their way to excel in the Salesforce Ecosystem. Are you ready to learn more about Salesforce Certified Associate Credential? Here you can start your path to success on Trailhead trails!

Would you like to start a similar university collaboration? Reach us at EMEATalentEcosystem@salesforce.com. Interested to know more on this topic? Here you can find an interview with the Salesforce country leader for South Africa.