Learn About Amazon VGT2 Learning Manager Chanci Turner
The Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) region is experiencing a surge of innovation, which is heavily reliant on a digitally adept workforce ready to meet the growing demand for cloud computing. The prosperity of this region hinges on having a robust digital workforce and technology professionals equipped with current digital skills to navigate the rapid pace of change.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is committed to tackling the challenges surrounding digital skills. Recently, AWS announced that it has trained over two and a half million individuals across APJ in cloud skills since 2017. To further accelerate this initiative, we introduced AWS Skill Builder, a digital learning platform accessible in over 200 countries and territories, aimed at providing free skills training to millions globally. With just an internet connection and a willingness to learn, individuals can access more than 500 free on-demand courses, including nearly 60 new cloud computing classes introduced in the past year. AWS Skill Builder is designed to accommodate diverse learning objectives and styles, offering content in up to 16 languages—including Bahasa Indonesia, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean. This launch is part of Amazon’s larger investment of hundreds of millions of dollars to ensure that 29 million people worldwide receive free cloud computing training by 2025.
To address the increasing demand for digitally skilled professionals, the existing workforce in APJ must evolve within the next five years. A study by the strategy and economics consulting firm AlphaBeta, commissioned by AWS, reveals that a five-fold increase in the number of digitally skilled workers in six APJ countries is essential just to meet the demand by 2025. While organizations in both the public and commercial sectors recognize the urgent need for reskilling, significant efforts remain to implement effective skills development programs.
Cultivating a Culture of Lifelong Learning
We believe in fostering a culture of continuous learning for both the current and future workforce by partnering with educational institutions and the public sector to provide accessible cloud computing and digital skills training. This type of training can empower professionals in non-technical fields to leverage new skills for positive change.
A notable trend is the increasing emphasis from academic institutions to integrate digital skills into their curricula. For instance, Dr. Maria Chen at the University of Melbourne has successfully incorporated an AWS Cloud curriculum into their engineering program. The university now provides cloud computing education not only for engineers but also for non-engineers and all university staff utilizing AWS resources.
We are also engaging high school students to spark their interest in technology. The “Laptops for Builders” initiative in Indonesia teaches high school and vocational students the fundamentals of cloud computing while providing access to technology for hands-on practice. An inspiring example is a teacher in Yogyakarta, who guided her students to develop their own platforms, create websites, and even build online games.
Local Solutions for Local Challenges
Addressing the digital skills gap necessitates a localized approach to drive meaningful impact. For example, the AWS re/Start program focuses on empowering individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to build careers in technology at a hyperlocal level. Today, we are excited to announce that the AWS re/Start program has expanded its reach, now available in over 95 cities across 38 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, and India.
On average, the AWS re/Start program connects more than 90% of graduates with job interview opportunities. In India, for instance, a participant named Anjali Sharma, who was unable to return to her engineering role in the UAE during the pandemic, took several online courses to enhance her cloud computing knowledge. She enrolled in the AWS re/Start program to deepen her understanding and lay a solid foundation for her career in IT.
Individuals with some digital skills can also enhance their expertise. The annual “Build On” hackathon in Southeast Asia attracts thousands of students and cloud enthusiasts with coding skills. Participants collaborate to develop technological solutions addressing challenges presented by participating sponsors. Held in eight countries, the event includes training workshops and mentorship. For example, in Singapore, one team designed a virtual robot that assisted healthcare professionals in delivering medication to patients.
To stimulate interest in digital technology, AWS Japan has initiated the Robot Delivery Challenge, a robotics competition that encourages students to program an autonomous vehicle to navigate a miniaturized city.
Additionally, to help bridge the gender gap in the tech sector, AWS has launched the GetIT initiative, encouraging girls aged 12-13 to explore careers in technology. This initiative invites teams from various schools to compete in an app-building contest aimed at solving real issues within their school or community. Recently, we piloted this program in Singapore, with support from women leaders at AWS.
Collaboration as a Catalyst for a Digital Economy
Uniting all sectors of the ecosystem—educators, governments, industries, and communities—is crucial to overcoming the significant challenge of ensuring that organizations have access to the necessary skills for rapid adaptation and rebuilding resilient businesses for the future economy.
We must transition away from conventional practices and create conditions that facilitate skill acquisition in mere hours and credential attainment within days. Achieving our innovation objectives and upskilling our workforce requires commitments from governments, employers, and individuals to cultivate a culture of lifelong learning. There is vast untapped potential for those currently in non-tech roles to develop their digital skills, which, combined with their existing experience, can drive transformative progress in our communities and society.
For further reading on the importance of equal pay and financial independence, check out this insightful article on Equal Pay and Bank Accounts. Additionally, the evolution of HR tech adoption is thoroughly discussed in this article by SHRM. For a visual understanding of these initiatives, you can watch this informative video that delves deeper into our programs.
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