AWS Public Sector Blog
Pearson and AWS Educate launch the first cloud computing BTEC Higher National qualifications
Across the globe, the demand for professionals with cloud computing skills exceeds available resources. For the past four years, cloud computing has been the #1 skill companies are seeking according to LinkedIn’s annual study.
To address the cloud computing skills gap, global learning company Pearson is collaborating with AWS Educate to develop the Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) Higher National qualifications at levels 4 and 5 in cloud computing. The BTEC Higher Nationals are internationally recognized higher education qualifications and are delivered at colleges and universities in 50 countries around the world. These are the first BTEC Higher Nationals available in cloud computing. Gary Gates, Pearson’s Senior Vice President for Global Business (Pearson VUE) and UK Higher Education, emphasized the immediate need for these skills, saying, “There is a real industry need for qualifications such as these around the world, and we are pleased to be helping to fill a skills gap in a growing field.”
The objective of the collaboration between Pearson and AWS Educate is to ensure that there is the education and training necessary to create a cloud-ready workforce. Ken Eisner, director of worldwide education programs for Amazon Web Services (AWS) and head of AWS Educate said, “AWS Educate has worked to map learning objectives and content to the most in-demand cloud jobs. We’re thrilled that Pearson shares this education-to-workforce vision and are excited to collaborate with them on these new BTEC Higher National qualifications in cloud computing.”
Cloud computing and technology has become even more important as much of the world continues to work from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Gates, “The COVID-19 situation has made technology all the more important in our lives, particularly cloud computing, which enables us to continue our digital lives through various applications.”
The career-focused BTEC Higher National qualifications will empower students with the knowledge and skills needed to start a career in cloud computing or to pursue higher degrees. To align the content of the qualifications to employers’ day-to-day needs, Pearson engages with cloud industry experts including employers, university lecturers, and teachers. The Level 4 Higher National Certificate will give students an understanding of the fundamentals of cloud computing as well as training in approaches to problem solving. The Level 5 Higher National Diploma will have three pathways that will enable students to progress into the workplace by specializing in one of the following pathways: Cloud Support, Cyber Security, or Software Development.
The new qualifications will launch worldwide and in the UK later in 2020. They will be taught at new and existing Pearson Approved Centres as part of a wide array of BTEC Higher Nationals already available in over 540 delivery centers across more than 50 countries. The BTEC Higher Nationals are studied by more than 50,000 students each year.