Free cloud skills training programme will help individuals to restart their career

Staffordshire University is working with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to deliver AWS re/Start, a free, full-time, skills-based development and training programme that prepares individuals for careers in the cloud and connects them to potential employers.

AWS re/Start covers fundamental and transferable AWS Cloud skills alongside practical career skills, such as effective communication, time management, interviewing and CV writing. Supported by professional mentors and accredited instructors, learners build programming, networking, security, and database skills through scenario-based learning, hands-on labs, and coursework. AWS re/Start also covers the cost for participants to take the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam. On completion of the programme, graduates are connected with potential employers.

“We have worked with AWS over a number of years to prepare our students for careers in cloud computing and the curriculum is helping our University to address the skills gap,” said Dr Russell Campion, Head of Computing at Staffordshire University. “The AWS re/Start programme is an excellent opportunity designed to prepare learners from unemployed, underemployed and underrepresented communities for entry-level careers in the cloud. We’re delighted to offer it for free to those people in Staffordshire who need it the most.”

AWS re/Start in Staffordshire is open to anyone in the community who is unemployed or underemployed, over the age of 18, and not currently enrolled in full-time employment or education. Participants will need access to computer equipment, a steady internet connection, and be able to attend training for a full 12 weeks.

“Alongside the technical skills, we’ll be working on important life skills including communication, problem solving, teamwork, and time management,” added Dr Campion. “Following completion of the course, participants will also have the opportunity to take the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam, which will validate their skills with an industry-recognised credential.” 

In addition to offering the AWS re/Start programme to the community, Staffordshire University was among the first universities in the UK to offer AWS Academy courses, which provides higher education institutions with ready-to-teach cloud computing curricula that prepares students to pursue industry-recognized certifications and in-demand cloud jobs. As an AWS Academy member institution, the University has access to an authorised cloud computing curricula developed and maintained by AWS. 

To find out more about the AWS re/Start programme and apply go to https://www.staffs.ac.uk/course/aws-restart-program-course.

Maria Scrivens

Communications Manager

t: 01782 294375

m: 07766 520339

e: m.c.scrivens@staffs.ac.uk

Staffordshire University is the Connected University; connected to the needs of students, academic partners, business and society. Our main city campus in Stoke-on-Trent features excellent learning and teaching facilities and good transport links. We have specialist Centres of Excellence in Healthcare Education at Stafford and Shrewsbury.  

We were recognised with a Gold award in the 2019 Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) for delivering consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for students.  

We were shortlisted for University of the Year at the THE Awards 2020 and were named ‘Midlands University of the Year’ at the Midlands Business Awards 2020. 
 
Staffordshire University has signed up to the Civic University Agreement, pledging to play a leading role in improving the regional economy and enhancing quality of life in local communities. We were recognised in the top 15 for social inclusion in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021. We aim to be a leading university for digital technologies building on our proud computing heritage and in 2019 launched Staffordshire University London’s Digital Institute which is committed to preparing students for careers in new and emerging tech industries. 

We are a Top 250 Young University (Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020) and are connected globally, with more than 11,000 people studying Staffordshire University degrees overseas.

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