AWS expands re/Start training programme across UK

Programme aims to reduce digital skills gap widen opportunities

AWS is expanding efforts to increase the supply of cloud talent across the UK.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has expanded its AWS re/Start workforce development training programme.

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.

The training programme is another initiative aiming to address the twin problems of the digital skills gap and under employed young people in all regions of the UK.

Like many other digital bootcamp type programmes, AWS’s programme is free to the learner and focuses 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.

"Overcoming the UK's digital skills gap is critical for helping organisations to take full advantage of the cloud," says Claire Spiller, EMEA Leader of the AWS re/Start programme. "Expanding AWS re/Start to more cities and towns, in all areas of the UK, is helping to provide local employers with an inclusive, and diverse pipeline of new cloud talent, and engaging individuals who might not have otherwise had access to a tech career path."

AWS re/Start also provides help with what are often called “soft” skills but are in reality anything but soft. These are the communications and presentational skills which are required in CV and cover letter preparation and interviews.

This announcement is part of Amazon’s much wider global programme of training. The company announced earlier this year that it had delivered free skills training to over 31 million learners across 200 countries and territories, far eclipsing its goal of 29 million people by 2025.

These training programmes offer genuine opportunity for young people, their communities and wider economy. They can be gateways to well-paid, durable careers.

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.

Paul Maddocks is an Executive Director at S&P Global Financial Services Solutions. 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.