AWS re/Start Creates New Career Paths in Cloud Computing for Non-Traditional Job Candidates

By Kevin Kelly, Director of AWS Certification and Education Programs

We’ve heard from AWS Partner Network (APN) Partners and customers around the world that hiring skilled cloud talent can be a challenge. As part of our larger AWS Training and Certification vision, we want to help build a pipeline for entry-level cloud roles.

To this end, we have a new cohort of cloud-ready, AWS-trained individuals ready for employment across the United States.

We are excited to announce the launch of AWS re/Start in the U.S. after a two-year pilot in the United Kingdom. AWS re/Start is a full-time, classroom-based skills development and training program designed to prepare individuals to launch new careers in cloud computing.

Cohorts of 25 students in Atlanta, Dallas, and Miami are finishing up their course of study and will be ready for employment before the end of August 2019.

Figure 1 – AWS re/Start learners in Miami, Summer 2019.

About AWS re/Start

AWS re/Start is building a new generation of talent at a time when industry needs it the most. According to Global Knowledge, 70 percent of IT decision-makers said their teams presently face a shortage of necessary skills. Likewise, according to LinkedIn data, cloud computing is the number one hard skill companies need most in 2019.

AWS re/Start is the latest addition to our growing suite of education programs to help build the pipeline of cloud talent, which includes AWS Academy.

AWS re/Start’s mission is to build local talent by providing accessible Amazon Web Services (AWS) skills development and job opportunities to underserved populations. The program recruits unemployed or underemployed individuals, including military veterans and their families as well as young people, and prepares them to launch careers in cloud technology.

AWS re/Start provides learners with scenario-based exercises, labs, and coursework to help them gain the skills needed to be successful in entry-level cloud roles. The program also provides learners with resume and interview coaching to prepare for employer meetings and interviews.

We intentionally developed this program to give people who may not have considered a cloud career a way to get started. We’re not waiting for learners to come to us. We’re bringing cloud to them.

How Are AWS re/Start Graduates Performing in Their New Roles?

Hear from Christopher Livermore, Head of Operations at Hive Home, about how AWS re/Start graduates enabled his team to save time on training and quickly start solving company-specific challenges.

What Do AWS re/Start Graduates Learn in the Program?

Learn how AWS re/Start alumna Savannah learned programming to launch a career on the AWS Cloud.

Hear from AWS re/Start alumnus Cameron about his experience learning scripting and programming in order to launch a career in technology.

Getting Started

If you’re an AWS customer or APN Partner looking to learn more about the AWS re/Start program, please contact the AWS re/Start team >>