News

AWS Program to Train, Place UK Workers

• By David Ramel
• 01/12/2017

Just about a month after Amazon Web Services Inc. (AWS) unveiled its new London-based Europe region, the company today announced a training and job placement program for AWS-centric cloud-based computing and development for the U.K. and Ireland.

Called AWS re:Start, the program is designed to educate young people, military veterans, reservists and spouses about the workings of the AWS cloud. The program is aiming to alleviate the increasing lack of digital skills and available jobs in the UK and enlist businesses to hire participants.

"Working with QA Consulting, The Prince's Trust, and Ministry of Defense (MoD), AWS re:Start brings together AWS Partner Network (APN) partners and customers to offer work placements to 1,000 people as part of the program," the site states. "The AWS re:Start program furthers AWS's commitment in helping organizations of all sizes and developers of all skill levels transition to cloud computing.

"AWS re:Start introduces more people to the opportunities that working with cloud technologies offers, while at the same time addressing a need to access more staff skilled in AWS and cloud computing."

AWS-certified instructors will teach technical training classes and their students will gain work experience with on-the-job training to learn how to architect, design and develop cloud-based applications while leveraging AWS technologies; how to set up new cloud environments leveraging best practices in areas such as security and compliance; and to build applications using SDKs for Python and other popular languages.

So far, the company has attracted more than 11 customers and partners to help out with the program by offering job placements to program participants.

"AWS re:Start is designed to accommodate differing levels of experience -- even those with no previous technical knowledge can sign up," the re:Start site states.

In addition, the company said, "The Prince's Trust, through their 'Get into Technology' program, will support students with mentoring, soft work skills and help in applying for jobs including resume writing and interview skills."

Organizations partnering with re:Start to place participants will be able to hire workers for at least two weeks and then decide whether to hire them, either as employees or contractors.