Amazon Web Services (AWS), an Amazon.com company, announced the launch of the AWS re/Start programme in Singapore. AWS re/Start is a skills-development and job training programme that prepares learners for cloud computing careers and operates in more than 100 cities across more than 40 countries globally.

Benefits for Employers:
In Singapore, the initiative will collaborate with Lithan, a digital learning and talent platform with the goal of delivering growth for both talent and businesses in the digital economy through digital learning. Cloud Professionals: AWS Cloud Specialist by Workforce Singapore is part of the Career Conversion Programme (CCP) for Cloud Professionals offered by Lithan. WSG will pay a portion of a company's salary if it uses the CCP to hire or redeploy mid-career individuals who are qualified to work as cloud practitioners. The AWS re/Start structured classroom training component of the CCP can be subsidized by using eligible course fee money from SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) at the same time as firms enrol their staff in Lithan's optional structured classroom training.
As the pace of technological change quickens, it is more critical than ever before to train Singapore's workforce. Over 90% of Singaporean workers said they needed more digital skills training during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was commissioned by AWS and carried out by strategy and economics consultancy firm AlphaBeta. Cloud computing and cyber security will be the most sought-after digital talents by employers by 2025, according to the research "Building Digital Skills for the Changing Workforce".
 
Benefits for Individuals:  
Amazon Web Services (AWS) re/Start is an on-the-job training program that teaches the fundamentals of AWS Cloud computing as well as interviewing and resume writing. Students with no prior knowledge of cloud computing learn the fundamentals of Linux, Python, networking, security, and relational databases through hands-on exercises, experiments, and coursework based on real-world scenarios.

Graduates of the program will be prepared for entry-level employment in operations, infrastructure support, dependability, and more; they will also be able to demonstrate their cloud abilities with an industry-recognized credential through the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam. Participating employers can enroll employees in AWS re/Start structured training and on-the-job coaching to help them succeed in their new roles. As a stand-alone or as part of the CCP for Cloud Professionals, AWS Specialist, the program is available. It is recommended that individuals apply to the CCP via their employer. It's not too late to sign up for the first AWS re/Start Singapore cohort, which will get underway in June.

It has become increasingly difficult for companies to discover or hire workers who have a working knowledge of the cloud because demand for cloud adoption is outpacing supply. Conor McNamara, AWS ASEAN's Managing Director, echoed these sentiments. "Non-traditional sources of cloud talent must be cultivated in order to bridge this gap. Re/Start helps people in Singapore with little or no technical background get their feet wet in the cloud, addressing the present skills gap in the tech sphere as well as providing people with the ability to pivot into this dynamic and ever-changing market."

Leslie Loh, the CEO and creator of Lithan, affirmed his belief in the collaboration's goal of leading Singapore's digital upskilling in cloud computing. Developing a talent pool for the new economy is necessary because of the "rapid digitization," in his words. Through this partnership with AWS re/Start, the two organizations are working together to help adults transition into high-growth careers and businesses strengthen their current digital workforces in the process. This program enables businesses to keep up with the rapid pace of technological change in their respective fields."
 
From education to employment 
There will be ongoing support and help for the students even after they complete the program. Lithan's goal is to position all program alumni within six months of their graduation by leveraging collaborations with industry-leading schools.
They have fully committed themselves to welcoming alumni of the program to their organizations in Singapore: Cloud Kinetics; GECO Asia; Graymatics; and Starhub.

Haji Munshi, CEO of Cloud Kinetics, says that "cloud skills development is a key foundation for enterprises embarking on the digital transformation journey." As a result of our partnership with AWS, we will be able to offer candidates real-world scenarios and projects." It is our belief that this will assist fill the shortfall in the cloud computing workforce."

At Geco, cloud roles have accounted for almost 40% of our new hires this year. Our goal is to be a top choice for career changers as a place to work because of the excellent mentorship and coaching we provide. We need to fill 45 cloud roles by the end of August. According to Christie Dao, Director of Capability & Organization Optimization at GECO Asia, the salary increase is about 50% compared to equivalent roles based on traditional non-cloud and on-premises administration or support. If you are interested in a career in IT infrastructure management, an upskilling program like AWS re/Start is a great starting point."

VISTA, a cloud platform that provides digital video and image recognition technology, is constantly being developed and improved by Graymatics APAC, the company's APAC manager, Jagdip Yadav said. For our developing market, the AWS re/Start program will help us generate cloud talent and the hands-on approach in the course will also provide our team with real-life scenario practice, which we want to cultivate our skills on."

StarHub Chief Human Resource Officer Catherine Chia stated, "As part of our five-year transformation strategy DARE+, we are rapidly growing our cloud offerings while placing strong focus on attracting, hiring, and retaining individuals in this industry. Our partnership with AWS and Lithan on the AWS re/Start program allows us to expand our pipeline of cloud technological talent, while empowering non-technical people who want a new career in the cloud to do so. More than simply drawing from an atypical pool of candidates, we invest in supporting and developing people so that they can pursue the finest chances they deserve."

AWS re/Start is a global program that is offered in 40 countries and links more than 90% of its graduates with job offers. Visit the AWS re/Start website for further details.
 
Visit here to learn more and apply for a Singapore cohort.