Amazon Web Services pioneers early career talent into diverse tech pathways
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has developed a variety of vocational pathways to prepare early career talent for diverse technology careers, by meshing accredited training with industry certifications.
“Building the skills gap through training is mission critical in Australia. AWS’s work with the Tech Council of Australia and the Future Skills Organisation has provided useful insights into how we could create a model that provided the best learner and employment outcomes,” says Jodi Phillips, Strategic Advisor Public Sector (Skills and Workforce Development) for Australia and New Zealand, AWS.
AWS offers free cloud computing learner pathways, including content and learner labs, for universities and VET providers via their AWS Academy program, however they found it wasn’t being optimally embedded into the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system due to the complexity in mapping to VET Units of Competency (UoC).
“AWS could see that there was a lot of interest within the sector, but the available training wasn't being actively embedded into VET curriculums. We also recognised that many VET providers had limited exposure to technologies like cloud, which could be a barrier to launching programs in tech and emerging technology fields of study,” says Jodi.
COLLABORATING FOR IMPACT
AWS used an AWS Academy Training Partner, Academy IT, to help solve these challenges, developing accredited VET courses in cloud computing, network development, and data and machine learning.
They were able to mesh the multi-vendor content inside recognised ICT UoC’s to create Certificate III, Certificate IV and Diploma pathways.
These programs can be delivered by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that is registered to use AWS Academy, which is free for RTOs.
"AWS developed these courses so graduates will be highly employable, and able to articulate their skills and deploy them effectively. We understood that not everyone may be familiar with technology, so they start from the ground up and can be stacked upon each other as their career progresses.
"You can progress into roles like network development engineer, machine learning specialist, data analyst, or cloud solution architect associate. These pathways were designed with the understanding that we want to offer diverse career options," says Jodi.
ALTERNATIVE PATHWAYS FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS
With the aim to increase those using diverse pathways into a career in technology, Jodi notes it’s been a challenge “cracking the nut” around vocational education in schools, with limited understanding of pathways outside of university and traditional trades.
“AWS is working with councils and business communities who are struggling with hiring tech talent to get the word out about tech careers.
“Parents are highly influential when it comes to career pathways for their children. Most people say, ‘I'd rather my child be a builder, because I understand it’. Not many outside of the tech sector know enough about tech, or what a tech career looks like,” says Jodi.
HIRING EARLY CAREER TALENT
Jodi underscores the importance of guiding individuals into these pathways, ensuring there are adequate employment prospects available.
She notes that it can be a challenge to encourage organisations to hire early-career talent.
“The practicalities of bringing in trainees is new to some organisations, and they have little experience in how to mentor young people, or people from Indigenous cultures. Trainee and graduate programs can also have an impact on the operational efficiency of the organisation as it takes people away from their job to supervise and mentor effectively.
“Across industry, we are exploring ways to swiftly connect industry with learners to establish a sense of belonging right from the start. All of us must grasp the role we’re stepping into, and equip the next tech workforce with enough skills to be immediately effective in the workforce,” adds Jodi.