AWS re/Start program announces first cohort in Australia

Today, we announced the launch of the first AWS re/Start program cohort in Australia—our first cohort in Asia Pacific. It joins our AWS re/Start cohort locations across Europe and North America to help individuals around the globe launch cloud careers.

With more than one million Australians predicted to be unemployed during the first half of 2020, it is more important than ever for local industry to work together to help people transition to new careers (Australian Bureau of Statistics).

That’s where AWS re/Start comes in. As a skills development and job training program, AWS re/Start prepares learners for entry-level careers in the cloud. “In Australia, we continue the program’s mission of building local talent by providing AWS Cloud skills to individuals who are unemployed or underemployed, including Indigenous and transitioning populations. At the same time, the program develops a pipeline of diverse talent to support our local customers and partners,” explains Adam Beavis, managing director of AWS Australia and New Zealand.

In Australia, AWS re/Start is collaborating with Goanna Solutions, a leading Indigenous Australian-owned technology enterprise, on their Yapang Initiative. The program will work with learners in the Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane areas on integrated training including technical, behavioral, and mindset skills, mentoring, social support services, job application, and interview preparation.

“Goanna Solutions is committed to building pathways that support Indigenous Australians to launch careers in the digital economy,” said Liam Harte, Goanna Solutions. “‘Yapang’ translates to ‘pathway’ from the Dunghutti language belonging to the Aboriginal peoples of the Macleay Valley of New South Wales. We are excited that the Yapang Initiative will help support learners in the AWS re/Start program to build their pathway to launch careers in the cloud.”

Goanna Solutions will operate the AWS re/Start program virtually in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, with a live instructor leading the course. In the future, we will also offer live in-classroom instruction. The students will undertake a full-time, 12-week training focused on AWS Cloud fundamentals, as well as practical, professional skills. Learners also pursue the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam as a part of the program.

Upon completion of the program, Yapang Initiative will support graduates with direct connections to employers. AWS re/Start graduates are prepared for entry-level cloud roles, such as cloud operations, site reliability, infrastructure support, and technical adjacent business support functions.

“As a new mum, getting back into the workforce seemed quite daunting. However, the AWS re/Start program has provided opportunities I didn’t think were possible. I’m extremely excited to further my training and knowledge and begin my new career in the cloud computing industry,” said Renee Urbanowicz. Renee, 37, is a mum of two little ones. After taking the last few years off from work to care for her family, she has taken the steps to get back into the workforce. Thanks to her partner, they discovered AWS re/Start, and now are both students in the program.

“The AWS re/Start program is providing me with the education and the opportunity to enter the technology workforce in Australia. I have been looking to complete a computing course for a while, and came across this program. I’m excited to learn both the technical and professional skills to succeed in a cloud computing role,” said Shane Nolan. Shane is a 24-year-old, Dunghutti Wiradjuri man who grew up on Gadigal land, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He has always been interested in technology, but after a career in football and then trying to find a new passion, has landed with us at AWS re/Start.

The Australia cohort is a part of a global AWS re/Start initiative to reskill individuals and prepare them for cloud careers. To learn how you can get involved in AWS re/Start, fill out an employer interest form or contact aws-restart-employers@amazon.com.

Some of the Australia learners in AWS re/Start program speaking with Adam Beavis, managing director of AWS Australia and New Zealand. Photo credit: Goanna Solutions