Amazon Web Services (AWS) has expanded its AWS re/Start workforce development training programme to help prepare more individuals for a career in cloud computing and create a new pipeline of cloud talent across the UK. The programme is now available in 30 locations across all regions and nations in the UK, with cohorts planned for 2025 in Bath, Birmingham, Coventry, Derby, Dundee, Exeter, Glasgow, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Sunderland, and Swansea. The programme will continue to support cohorts in cities such as Cardiff, Edinburgh, London, and Manchester.

Delivering impact and economic benefits for the UK

Creating accessible opportunities for people in the UK to upskill and reskill is critical for future-proofing the UK economy. According to research conducted by Gallup for AWS, 72% of businesses surveyed in the UK have a vacancy for workers with digital skills, but only 11% of UK workers possess advanced digital skills.

AWS re/Start is helping to close this digital skills gap by preparing individuals for careers in the cloud and connecting them to potential employers. AWS’s programme is free to the learner and focused on helping unemployed or underemployed individuals. Through coursework and hands-on labs, and using real world scenarios, learners can gain the technical skills they need for entry to mid-level cloud roles. AWS re/Start also provides learners with professional skills training like CV and interview coaching to prepare them for employer meetings and job interviews. AWS re/Start learners have gone on to secure employment at companies across the UK such as Cancer Research UK, Centrica Hive, Direct Line, Dunelm, Sage, Sainsbury’s, Sony PlayStation, UKTV, and more.

The expansion of the programme is helping organisations across the UK to level up with digital technology by providing access to a pipeline of local cloud talent.

Nethmi Wickrama’s ‘life-changing’ opportunity with AWS re/Start

One graduate who has benefitted from the programme to help her find a career in tech is Nethmi Wickrama. Now working as an Associate DevOps Engineer at Manchester-based financial services solutions company S&P Global, Nethmi says it’s mind blowing to think about where her career is now, compared to life before AWS re/Start.

“I’ve always wanted to study IT and even got a place at university when I finished school. I’m originally from Sri Lanka and moved here with my family when my mother was studying, but unfortunately, because I wasn’t a UK citizen yet, I found it very hard to get any financial aid or support to pay the fees involved.

“I tried lots of different routes to get into a tech career, and my strategy at the time was to just keep learning and upskilling, but eventually I gave up on my IT dream and took a job as a teaching assistant. It was only when a friend told me he had taken the AWS re/Start course for free and how it had helped him get a great job that I decided to take one last leap of faith for a future in tech.

“The course was intense and a nine-to-five schedule of learning, so I gave up my job to focus entirely on succeeding. With the skills and qualifications, I gained from the AWS re/Start course, I was able to access a wider variety of job opportunities and even managed to find the perfect tech role in my local area, allowing me to stay and work in Manchester.”

“AWS re/Start changed everything for me. I’d recommend it to anyone looking to launch a career in IT as it gives you a real sense of purpose and confidence by putting you on an even footing with those studying at university or just starting out in the field. It’s a great way to network with people across industries and connect with fellow learners from lots of different backgrounds. It was life-changing for me.”

AWS re/Start helps UK businesses to access to a new and diverse talent pipeline

The programme is also delivering benefits for participating organisations who are connected with AWS re/Start learners. Paul Maddocks is an Executive Director at S&P Global Financial Services Solutions, where Nethmi secured her first tech role. He’s long been a supporter and advocate of the AWS re/Start programme and runs the AWS Use Group Meet-up in Liverpool. He says the AWS re/Start programme is a key funnel of new talent and candidates for their business.

“We wanted to rethink our approach to recruitment at S&P and make it more sustainable. Working with AWS re/Start not only allowed us to provide opportunities to people in our area who may not have naturally gravitated towards tech, but to also access talent with alternative viewpoints, diverse perspectives and a range of other industry experience – it has brought a breath of fresh air to the organisation.

“We’ve been involved with AWS re/Start since the early days and the success we have seen has encouraged the business to explore other early career schemes and open up to alternative streams of tech talent. The AWS re/Start graduates at S&P often buddy up with the newer cohorts that come through so the talent is always nurtured while moving up through our organisation.”

It’s not just businesses like S&P that are seeing the benefits of the programme. Paul has also seen the impact that initiatives like AWS re/Start can have on the individual graduates, too.

“Around our local areas, these types of programmes are a game-changer. Now, you can get your start in the industry based on merit, AWS re/Start can be a huge stepping stone for someone that’s come up against conventional barriers to land their dream job in tech.”

Upskilling more than 31 million people in cloud computing skills for free

In December 2020, AWS committed to investing hundreds of millions of dollars to provide free cloud computing skills training to 29 million people worldwide by 2025. More than a year ahead of schedule, AWS announced it had surpassed this goal, having helped more than 31 million learners across 200 countries and territories, including the UK, to build their cloud skills through its free training initiatives.

To continue to help prepare the UK’s future-ready workforce and address the growing need for cloud skills, AWS launched several learning and skills programmes to complement AWS re/Start. This includes AWS Educate, which offers hundreds of hours of self-paced training and resources for new-to-cloud learners – including hands-on labs in the AWS Management Console, and AWS Academy, which provides higher education institutions with a free, ready-to-teach cloud computing curriculum that prepares students to pursue industry-recognised certifications and in-demand cloud jobs.

Research conducted by Access Partnership and AWS showed that 51% of surveyed employers said they consider hiring talent with AI skills and experience a priority, but nearly three-quarters (71%) reported that they can’t find the talent they need. To address the need for AI skills, in November 2023, Amazon launched the ‘AI Ready’ pledge, aiming to empower two million people around the world with free AI skills training by 2025, while AWS has also created new initiatives for adults and young learners, and scaled its existing free AI training programmes, removing cost as a barrier to accessing these critical skills. This includes eight new, free AI and generative AI courses open to anyone and aligned to in-demand jobs.

Since 2017, AWS has trained over one million people in cloud skills in the UK. By opening doors for individuals to enter the tech industry and enabling businesses to elevate their teams with digital and AI skills, AWS is helping the UK to reach its full potential and secure its position as a leading digital economy.

How can employers get involved?

To learn how you can get involved in AWS re/Start, fill out an employer interest form or contact us directly to find out more.

If you want to apply to take part in the AWS re/Start programme, you can find information and apply here.