ICYMI: New stories, updates, and resources from AWS Training and Certification in January 2022

Editor’s Note: Below is a summary of new courses, AWS Certification news, customer successes, and other updates from AWS Training and Certification for January 2022. Dive in and explore more training content, stories, and resources.

Advance your cloud skills

New courses, resources, and updates from AWS Training and Certification in January

Our new and updated training content this month includes new information about digital badges for AWS Storage. New courses include Design Patterns for AWS Step Functions, Amazon Elastic Container Service (Amazon ECS), AWS IoT Greengrass and AWS IoT Greengrass: Utilizing Data, AWS Game Tech, Getting Started with Amazon MemoryDB for Redis, AWS Networking Practical Approaches, Cloud Cost Management: Optimization Strategies, offered on Coursera and edX, AWS Cloud for Finance Professionals, and Developing on AWS. Specific to AWS Partners, we have a new course to help executives at AWS Consulting Partner organizations build their business on cloud. Also, check out our upcoming beta for the updated AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty exam from AWS Certifications. Read more about the latest offerings from AWS Training and Certification.

Intercompany AWS GameDay fosters teamwork and cloud innovation

In October 2021, AWS Skills Guild collaborators PETRONAS (Malaysia), Techcombank (Vietnam), and the Singapore Public Sector Agency came together to learn and innovate in a three-hour, virtual, cross-industry AWS Skills Guild Intercompany GameDay. The goals of the GameDay were to help learners experience cross-team collaboration and experimentation firsthand and realize how their cloud skills impact business outcomes. Read more about the intercompany AWS GameDay.

Organizations future-proof their workforce with AWS Training and Certification

Each year, Global Knowledge, an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Training Partner, conducts a worldwide survey of IT leaders and professionals to share changes and trends within the technology industry. There were more than 9,300 respondents this year from North America (45%), Latin America (6%), EMEA (28%), and APAC (21%). This year’s results offer insights about the recognized value of training and certifications for organizations and individuals alike. Read more about the 2021 Global Knowledge IT Skills and Salary report.

AWS Education Programs celebrate International Day of Education

Expanding access to cloud skills training with AWS Education Programs

Did you know January 24 was the fourth annual International Day of Education (IDOE)? The United Nations General Assembly recognizes the importance of ensuring “inclusive and equitable quality education to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” This year’s IDOE theme is Changing Course, Transforming Education. To celebrate, we shared stories from graduates who have found success with AWS Education Programs. We focused on their program experience, the job they landed upon graduation, and what they wished they knew before starting their AWS journey. Read more about this blog series and how AWS Education Programs are expanding access to cloud skills training.

A classical singer and software developer—Anadi’s AWS Academy story

Anadi Sharma, who is also a professionally trained classical singer, was a Java programming major and interviewing for internships with several companies. Throughout the interview process, one thing became clear—programming skills alone wouldn’t land Anadi a role with the type of company she wanted. “When I started interviewing, I received feedback that my coding skills weren’t enough for me to get a corporate-level role. The big organizations made it clear that they expected me to also know cloud technology in depth,” Anadi recalls. After sharing several industry-recognized credentials she earned after graduation from AWS Academy, Anadi received a whopping 17 job offers! She is now an associate software developer. Find out more about Anadi’s AWS Academy journey.

Competitive tennis player turned techie—Zaiba’s AWS Tech U story

Zaiba Jamadar, a former competitive tennis player, was introduced to the cloud while working on her master’s degree in engineering at the University of Toronto. While working in her first role after graduate school, she was introduced to the solutions architect (SA) role. Her manager at the time, an SA, spoke with Zaiba about the need to have industry experience to design and architect solutions for her customers. When an Amazon recruiter contacted Zaiba and spoke with her about the Tech U program, she knew this was her chance to explore the role a career in cloud. Find out more about Zaiba’s AWS Tech U journey.

From flipping burgers to solutions engineer—Charlotte’s AWS re/Start story

After 10 years of experience in the bustling food service industry, Charlotte Wilkins decided to try something new. “I wanted a career change,” Charlotte recalls. “I was already interested in technology but wasn’t sure what skills were needed. I’d heard of cloud computing and knew how useful and convenient cloud technology was becoming but hadn’t considered it as a career option, because I didn’t have any technical experience.” She quickly realized this was a great option to continue her learning and joined her local cohort in August 2020. Charlotte now works as an associate solutions engineers and celebrates the cloud skills and professional development the program brought to her life. Find out more about Charlotte’s AWS re/Start journey.

AWS re/Start launches new cohorts

AWS re/Start is a full-time, classroom-based skills development and training program that prepares individuals for entry-level careers in the cloud and connects them to potential employers. In January, we launched three new locations across the globe, including Antwerp, Belgium; Harare, Zimbabwe; and Hamburg, Germany. Find a full list of participating locations and find out how to support the program on the AWS re/Start wiki. Find a full list of participating locations and fill out our AWS re/Start interest form to learn more and connect with graduates.

AWS Training and Certification empowers learners around the world with various skill levels, roles, and backgrounds to build knowledge and practical skills of the AWS Cloud. More than 500 free, on-demand courses help customers learn new cloud skills and services when and where it’s convenient for them, as part of Amazon’s commitment to train 29 million people around the world with free cloud skills training. Additionally, AWS Classroom Training offers live classes with expert instructors who teach in-demand cloud skills and best practices using a mix of presentations, discussions, and interactive labs. Pursue AWS Certifications to build credibility and confidence with an industry-recognized credential across 11 solution- and role-based certifications. We also help cultivate the next generation of cloud professionals through our AWS Education Programs, including AWS Academy and AWS re/Start. Follow us today on LinkedIn.