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AWS Virtual School Promises Cloud Dev Expertise in a Year
An all-virtual course offering from Amazon Web Services promises to turn inexperienced laypeople into certified cloud developers in just 12 months.
AWS is now taking applications for the AWS Cloud Institute, a newly announced education program that "provides a prescriptive path to gaining the technical and professional skills needed to start a career as a cloud developer in as little as one year," according to an announcement this week.
The AWS Cloud Institute comprises 12 "self-paced" online courses. Students can choose to complete the entire program in a single year by taking three courses per quarter, but they can also spread out their courseload over a longer period of time. The total cost of the completed program is $7,560, plus tax. Classes start next year on Jan. 8; applications will be accepted until Jan. 5. To be eligible to enroll, a student must be based in the United States, be at least 18 years old and have a high school degree (or equivalent).
The program covers a broad range of topics relevant to AWS developers. According to the announcement:
Courses cover a range of foundational and industry-specific topics, including Business Foundations, Cloud Fundamentals, Developer Fundamentals, and Getting Hired. Course modules address topics such as computer technology, architecting on AWS, compute, databases, networking, security, storage, Python, machine learning, data analytics, generative artificial intelligence (generative AI) using Amazon CodeWhisperer, sustainability, and more.
The program also includes live learning opportunities via video (that can also be watched on-demand), over 100 labs, "career enrichment activities" with participating AWS partner companies and customers, two capstone projects in which students will create an application using AWS technologies and Python code, and vouchers for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner and AWS Certified Developer Associate exams. Students receive a certificate of completion at the end of the program.
"AWS Cloud Institute brings new talent into the workforce with a low-cost training option that supports individuals for whom traditional education or training options may not be a good fit," said the program's director, Kevin Kelly. "We support all types of learners with a comprehensive training program that empowers them to develop the skills, confidence, and connections to pursue an in-demand cloud career."
Those who want to enroll in the AWS Cloud Institute can find more information (including application registration) here.