AWS Skills Center Seattle turns 5: Here are 5 things that may surprise you

People often ask why AWS Skills Centers are such a great place to start building AI and cloud skills. It comes down to access: free classes, expert trainers, and a welcoming community, whether you’re switching careers or just curious about technology.

At Amazon Web Services (AWS), we believe access to skills training can change people’s lives. AWS Skills Centers are free public spaces, open to everyone, where you can walk in and take AI and cloud classes taught by live instructors. With locations in Seattle, Arlington, and Cape Town, plus virtual classes available worldwide, we’re building a global front door to AI and cloud learning. There’s no cost, no tech background required, and no appointment needed. All you need is curiosity and a readiness to learn.

This month, AWS Skills Center Seattle celebrates its fifth anniversary. Since opening in November 2021, we have welcomed more than 100,000 people who came to build or sharpen their skills, earn AWS Certifications, and launch new careers in AI and cloud.

As site leader at AWS Skills Center Seattle, I’ve had the privilege of watching this community grow. Every learner reminds me why this work matters: when you remove barriers to learning, you can change the course of someone’s life.

Even after five years, I can say there’s a lot about this learning hub that surprises people. To help celebrate our five-year anniversary, here are five things you may not know about AWS Skills Center Seattle.

1. We’re Seattle’s only spot for free, live-instructor AWS training

AWS Skills Center Seattle is the only place in the city offering free AWS AI and cloud training led by live instructors. If you learn best from an expert, there’s no better option. Every Skills Center class, in person or online, is taught by a certified Technical Trainer who can answer your questions, adjust the pace, and cheer you on.

Many of our Seattle-based instructors have been with us since day one, and they are a big reason why learners tell us they return for more skills training. Live instructors are the heart of AWS Skills Centers, offering real-time guidance and mentorship that continues after classes end.

“I’ve had several mentors who showed up for me, so it’s been amazing to pay it forward to our learners at the AWS Skills Centers,” said Jerrell Tate, Technical Trainer, AWS Skills Center Seattle. “Seeing learners take a chance on a complex topic, earn their certifications, and even go on to start new journeys is why I love teaching at AWS.”

2. Visitors come from all over the world

The doors at AWS Skills Center Seattle are open to our neighbors, but we’re equally proud to welcome visitors from all around the globe. Since 2024, we’ve hosted nearly 80 international groups from more than 20 countries, including customers, partners, government officials (or dignitaries), and student groups. They come to see how a free, community-centered AWS Skills Center works.

Learners anywhere in the world can also join our free instructor-led training through virtual classes hosted on AWS Skill Builder. In 2027, we’re expanding our schedule to more time zones so even more people can join us, wherever they are. Every class and every visit reminds us that the need for foundational tech skills is universal.

“Over the years, we’ve brought many student groups from Japan to the AWS Skills Center Seattle, and the experience has been incredibly valuable,” said Kazuya Oiwa, Manager, Marketing & Sales, Tokyo Express International, a Japanese travel and tour services company. “Students get to step inside one of the world’s leading technology companies and take part in hands-on learning programs. They leave with new knowledge, practical experience, and fresh perspectives on technology, innovation, and future careers. The impact has consistently exceeded our expectations.”

3. We have an interactive Alexa dollhouse and a globe that tracks sea turtles

Our AWS discovery space at AWS Skills Center Seattle is full of interactive exhibits and customer stories that make AI and cloud technology real and fun.

Start with our Alexa dollhouse, where you can see how natural language processing (NLP) turns your voice into text that AWS uses to automate tasks. Try commands like “Alexa, movie time,” or “Alexa, time for work,” and watch Alexa make life a little easier for people at home. It’s built on the same kind of conversational AI behind Amazon Lex, an AWS service we cover in our instructor-led training.

Next, head to our interactive globe where you can explore real-time earthquake data or view the entire solar system. The globe draws on data from satellites, ground observations, and computer models, all stored on AWS. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Science on a Sphere exhibit turns more than 600 datasets into visualizations projected onto the globe; one of the favorite views shows nearly 10 years of sea turtle migration tracked on AWS.

We recently had the chance to give digital creator @nnaemekaopara_ a tour of AWS Skills Center Seattle including our exhibits and classes. “They took me through this really cool exhibit which focuses on a lot of interactive hands-on learning about topics such as robotics, cloud applications, real-world AI use cases, and machine learning. These interactive models are very crucial when it comes to explaining all these different complex topics within tech,” he shared.

After taking one of our Becoming an AI Practitioner classes, he urged others to join: “We need to constantly remind ourselves to take advantage of free resources like this to upskill when they present themselves.”

Check out @nnaemekaopara_ a’s full video tour of AWS Skills Center Seattle on Instagram.

4. We meet learners in their communities

Expanding access to AI and cloud training, especially for underserved communities, means the AWS Skills Centers meet learners where they are. Sometimes that even means taking our training on the road.

In the greater Seattle area, we delivered our Becoming a Cloud Practitioner series to military members and their families at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), and through virtual classes to women and families moving out of homelessness at Mary’s Place, a local nonprofit in Seattle working to get families the help they need. By offering classes to these groups, it opens accessibility to provide the knowledge they need to pursue tech roles.

We also work with The Seattle Public Library and Seattle Housing Authority to bring free AI and cloud classes to neighborhood library branches and community spaces. Since 2025, our library collaboration has delivered over 50 classes to more than 550 community members, removing barriers like cost, transportation, and access that often keep people from pursuing tech education.

“This program has been a game changer. The high-quality, free training sessions and certification vouchers gave me an invaluable opportunity to skill up without financial worry,” said Namrata, an AWS Skills Center learner at The Seattle Public Library, who has earned two AWS Certifications. “The instructors are outstanding. They make every session engaging, practical, and fun.”

5. Our learners keep coming back

What I love most about AWS Skills Center Seattle is our community of learners who return for the next class, workshop, or networking event. They keep growing, and they bring friends and family with them. Many have found a community here, and we intend to remain their front door to AWS skills.

“The AWS Skills Center gave me the confidence to build. I came in with a background in enterprise systems and a strong interest in AI, and the training showed me how to bring those ideas to life on AWS,” said Graeme Tobias, an AWS Skills Center Seattle learner.

“I earned my AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner and AWS Certified AI Practitioner certifications, then rebuilt several AI projects from my master’s program on AWS. That experience made a move into AI architecture feel within reach. I also built lasting connections with instructors and classmates, many of whom I’m still in touch with today,” said Graeme.

Join us for anniversary week with our AWS Chief Evangelist

To celebrate five years, we’re hosting a week of events at AWS Skills Center Seattle from Monday to Friday, November 16-20, 2026. Highlights include a Builder Fair and fireside chat with Jeff Barr, AWS Chief Evangelist.

Whether you’re a longtime learner or have never visited, we’d love to celebrate with you. Explore the full schedule or check out the highlights below.

Monday, Nov. 16 | 1–3:30 p.m. | AI Foundations

• Start anniversary week with one of the hottest topics in tech. Get a hands-on introduction to AI, machine learning, and generative AI. No experience required.

Tuesday, Nov. 17 | 11 a.m.–3 p.m. | Cloud & AI Trivia + Quick Virtual Workshop

• Mix exam prep with games and hands-on workshops. Perfect if you’re working toward AWS Certified AI Practitioner or AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner.

Wednesday, Nov. 18 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Mini re:Invent and Builder Fair

• Explore rotating demos of products and solutions built by Amazonians and see what’s possible when builders bring their ideas to life.

Thursday, Nov. 19 | 2–7 p.m. | The Celebration

• Join us for an evening of networking, food and drinks, inspiring stories, and a special fireside chat with Jeff Barr.

Friday, Nov. 20 | 9 a.m.–2:15 p.m. | Launch Your Career

• Learn how to launch your cloud career, from understanding job roles to building a resume for the AI age and nailing your interview.

Come see us and experience AWS Skills Center Seattle for yourself

Whether you want to grow your AI and cloud skills, change careers, earn an AWS Certification, or find your community, our doors are open to you at AWS Skills Center Seattle. Explore free classes or stop by our downtown location. No appointment needed.

To our incredible team, our community, and the more than 100,000 learners who have walked through our doors: thank you for trusting us with your learning journey. We can’t wait to see what we’ll build together in the next five years!

This post is by Meghan Sullivan, Site Leader, AWS Skills Center Seattle