Reskilling initiative helps individuals in Boston and Washington, D.C. launch careers in the cloud

According to Forbes, “advanced cloud and security skills are in higher demand than ever before; however, there is a significant lack of qualified, skilled professionals.” This skills gap is expected to grow. Nearly 80 percent of IT decision makers see hiring as a challenge according to the 2019 Global Knowledge IT Skills and Salary report.

AWS re/Start is teaming up with the non-profit organization, Per Scholas, to help unemployed and underemployed individuals in the Boston and Washington, D.C. areas launch a career in the cloud. The program is focused on helping these individuals build the technical skills they need to meet the hiring bar for companies that need cloud expertise.

The AWS re/Start curriculum focuses on AWS Cloud computing skills through hands-on practice and real world problem solving. The curriculum covers three key technical topics – foundational IT, AWS Cloud, and system operations, in addition to professional skills such as communication and teamwork.

Per Scholas, a nonprofit with a track record of success, has trained and helped more than 10,000 individuals build careers in technology. Per Scholas was awarded one of the three New York Community Trust Nonprofit Excellence Award in 2016 by the Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York, and was named one of the most effective workforce programs in the country by the White House My Brother’s Keeper initiative.

“Our goals focus on fostering a more equitable and diverse tech sector and creating the opportunity for our graduates to build a foundation for future sustainability and growth. This aligns directly with the AWS re/Start mission and we are excited to collaborate,” said Plinio Ayala, president and CEO of Per Scholas. “Together, AWS re/Start and Per Scholas are building an inclusive and diverse pipeline of new cloud talent focused on helping unemployed or underemployed individuals launch careers in the cloud.”

The first cohort starts in May 2020 and will be delivered virtually in an instructor-led environment. Individuals will spend 12 weeks learning technical and professional skills needed for an entry-level cloud role, taught by an instructor whose knowledge and skills have been validated by AWS. After graduating from the training program, Per Scholas will support the individuals in launching a cloud career and connect them with potential employers.

Employers in the Boston and Washington, D.C. areas, such as designData, have already shown support of the program and interest to interview AWS re/Start graduates.

“Per Scholas’ new collaboration with AWS re/Start will offer designData access to a new talent pipeline of individuals trained as cloud specialists. We are proud partners of Per Scholas and have hired numerous graduates staff positions across our business. As our corporate demands change, it is important for our talent to evolve as well, and we are grateful to have a training partner that remains ahead of the curve,” said a spokesperson from designData.

The AWS re/Start program also operates in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, and Canada in addition to the United States. To learn how you can get involved in AWS re/Start, fill out an employer interest form on our website or contact us aws-restart-employers@amazon.com.

Some of the Boston and Washington D.C. area learners in AWS re/Start program. Photo credit: Per Scholas