Amazon has launched AWS re:Start, a cloud training and job placement program for young adults, military veterans, reservists and their spouses. No doubt, one of the key goals is to train thousands of new Amazon Web Services experts for the cloud workforce. The twist: AWS re:start initially focuses on the United Kingdom market.
According to Amazon's launch announcement:
"AWS re:Start is designed to accommodate differing levels of experience – even those with no previous technical knowledge can sign up. Participants who join AWS re:Start will complete technical training classes, led by AWS certified instructors, and will complete work experience to gain on-the-job training. They will learn about cloud computing and how to architect, design, and develop cloud-based applications using AWS. They will also learn how to set up new cloud environments using proven best practices in security and compliance and to build applications using software development toolkits for popular languages, such as Python.
In addition to the technical training, The Prince’s Trust, through their ‘Get into Technology’ programme, will support students with mentoring, soft work skills, and help in applying for jobs including resume writing and interview skills."
No doubt, plenty of companies and industry associations are striving to close the IT skills gap. A few examples:
- IBM has evangelized a "new collar" effort -- which seeks to train and hire a new generation of employees focused on cloud, analytics, big data, security and cognitive computing skills.
- CompTIA earlier this week acquired the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP). CompTIA will leverage that acquisition to launch an IT professionals organization that focuses heavily on IT skills training.
- The Continuum Veterans Foundation, backed by Continuum, provides financial support to local and national charities that focus on helping veterans find IT jobs.
Amazon's AWS Cloud Support Strategy
AWS re:Start surfaces only a few weeks after Amazon launched its own AWS Managed Services. Conspiracy theorists worry that Amazon will somehow compete with thousands of MSPs focused on SMB customers. ChannelE2E begs to differ.
Much in the way that Microsoft has long sold direct to Fortune 500 CIOs, Amazon AWS Managed Services seeks to support large enterprises that demand direct support. Without AWS Managed Services, the cloud giant would likely lose enterprise-class business to Microsoft, IBM, Google and even Rackspace -- which now offers AWS- and Azure-focused managed services.
Moreover, Amazon simply doesn't have the time, resources or financial model to personally support SMB cloud customers. That's why dozens of MSPs now partner with Amazon. And the AWS re:Start program could train additional partners to support cloud customers -- at least in the United Kingdom to start.
We're checking to see if or when Amazon plans to launch re:Start in additional countries.
