TechTalent Academy has announced a collaborative effort with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to provide free cloud computing skills development and job training through the AWS re/Start program. The first AWS re/Start cohort began in January and will finish on 16th April.
TechTalent Academy is working with AWS re/Start on programs in Bristol and Birmingham. TechTalentAcademy and AWS will host an AWS re/Start Employer Engagement event on Friday 12th March for employers to discuss their opportunities for Cloud Practitioners.
Creating opportunity and promoting diversity
According to The Edge Foundation, there are over 600,000 tech jobs vacant in the UK and not enough skilled individuals to fill those roles (https://www.edge.co.uk/SkillsShortagesBulletin2). Together TechTalent Academy and AWS re/Start are building an inclusive, diverse global pipeline of new cloud talent by engaging unemployed or underemployed people who otherwise might not have had access to this career path.
AWS re/Start is a full-time, classroom-based skills development and training program that prepares individuals for careers in the cloud and connects them to potential employers. It is a 12-week, in-person, skills-based training program that covers fundamental AWS Cloud skills as well as practical career skills, such as interviewing and resume writing, to help prepare individuals for an entry-level cloud position. Through real-world-scenario-based exercises, labs, and coursework, students build Linux, Python, networking, security, and relational database skills.
The program also prepares and covers the cost for participants to take the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Certification exam, validating their cloud skills with an industry-recognized credential. Ultimately, AWS re/Start can help prepare individuals for entry-level cloud roles in operations, site reliability, and infrastructure support. The AWS re/Start program is part of Amazon’s efforts to help 29 million people globally grow their cloud computing skills for free by 2025.
Tejas Vashi, AWS re/Start Global Team Lead, says, “AWS re/Start is successful when our program graduates launch their careers in the cloud.
“Through real-world, scenario-based learning, labs, and coursework, learners can gain the skills they need for an entry-level cloud role. Additionally, AWS re/Start provides employability skills training such as resume writing and interview coaching to prepare learners for employer meetings and interviews, as well as communication and presentation skills, which are all a part of a holistic development experience that prepares individuals for employment.”
Janice Rae, CEO of TechTalent Academy, adds, “We are delighted to launch AWS re/Start in Bristol and Birmingham. Upskilling the community and underrepresented groups to move into valuable tech roles is a huge priority as this is our talent pipeline of the future.
“The pandemic has badly affected many sectors and tech is an area of rapid growth and employment opportunities. We see the AWS re/Start program making a huge impact to support people keen to move into tech as well as employers who cannot find the talent they need. The training will support communities including women, BAME, neurodiverse and the unemployed to ensure they find inspiring careers and enable the tech sector to scale as quickly as possible.”
And don’t just take their word for it…
Students who have secured a place on the program shared their enthusiasm:
“I’m really excited to start my cloud journey. I think this training will really help to open doors to exciting opportunities in an area that is rapidly expanding. I’m looking forward to being one of the many women who are stepping into a rewarding career in tech,” says Gemma from the AWS re/Start cohort in Birmingham
Kitty from the AWS re/Start cohort in Bristol says, “I am so excited to start learning about cloud computing via the AWS re/Start program. I feel honoured to have been given this opportunity to study alongside my fellow students, via a program that supports women in tech roles. Without this opportunity, I don’t know what I would be doing, and will always be grateful for the chance they’ve given me.”
To attend the AWS re/Start Employer Engagement event on Friday 12th March, please register here!
For more information about, TechTalent Academy, visit their website here. To learn how you can get involved in AWS re/Start, fill out an employer interest form or visit the website.
