Amazon Web Services is opening its AWS Skills Centre in downtown Seattle to break down barriers to entry into the cloud computing industry.
Described as an “in-person cloud learning space”, the AWS Skills Centre will provide free training, career networking, and job placement events for anyone curious about a future career in the cloud industry. It opens to the public on November 22.
The centre, which is set to be the first of many across the US and eventually the globe, also features interactive exhibits on robotics, space, sports, and other real-world applications of cloud technology.
Saadia Zahidi, managing director of the World Economic Forum, said: “By 2025, 97 million new roles will emerge due to increasing digitisation. Skills are the currency of the future, and businesses and government must urgently work together to prepare workers for the jobs of tomorrow.
“When organisations like Amazon provide workforce programs for the public, they contribute to creating increased opportunities for individuals and communities around the world.”
The announcement of the Skills Centre comes as part of a package of four initiatives being rolled out by the world’s largest cloud infrastructure provider.
As well as the in-person centre, Amazon is also launching a new digital learning experience called the AWS Skills Builder, adding AWS course to the Amazon.com website, and expanding the AWS re/Start global reskilling programme.
Such initiatives are the latest efforts by AWS to provide free cloud computing skills training to 29 million people by 2025, a mission the company announced in December 2020. Thus far, Amazon has helped a reported six million people globally to gain cloud skills.
Maureen Lonergan, VP of training and certification at AWS, said: “Our goal is to empower anyone with a desire to learn by giving them access to the tools necessary to excel in cloud computing careers. Over the next decade, we expect the adoption of cloud computing across every industry will fuel a vast number of new jobs, which is why we are investing hundreds of millions of dollars to develop online courses, local in-person reskilling programs, and new ways to make it easy for anyone to learn cloud skills.
“Lowering barriers to accessing technical skills training is critical to power a thriving, diverse workforce of the future. The programmes that are part of this commitment are free and designed to meet a range of learner needs, whether they are totally new to the cloud computing industry—or even to technology—or experienced professionals looking to advance their skills,” she concluded.
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