AWS said it will launch its re/Start cloud skills training program for the first time in Kenya, as part of four new cohorts scheduled for Africa in May.

The company said it is collaborating with getINNOtized, a tech company with roots in Germany, and with Ajira Digital, a Kenyan government initiative driven by the Ministry of ICT, Innovations, and Youth Affairs to empower over one million young people to access digital job opportunities in Kenya.

In addition to the inaugural Kenya cohort, AWS re/Start will be launching three additional cohorts in South Africa in Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Mahikeng.

These new launches are part of AWS re/Start’s new entry into Africa. The program launched its first Africa cohort in October 2020 in Johannesburg, South Africa, and has since added additional cohorts in South Africa, and expanded the program to Ghana and Nigeria.

AWS re/Start is a free, full-time, 12-week program designed to support people who are unemployed or underemployed, and who have little technology experience, for careers in cloud computing.

A statement from the company reads: “The program provides participants with new cloud computing skills, career and resume coaching, and interviews with local employers. The program connects over 90% of graduates with job interview opportunities. At the end of 2020, AWS re/Start operated in 25 cities across 12 countries. This year, we expect to double the number of cities in which we operate. The AWS re/Start program is part of Amazon’s commitment to help 29 million people around the world grow their tech skills with free cloud computing skills training by 2025.”

The program is focused on the development of what it describes as a “diverse pipeline of entry-level trained talent” by collaborating with organisations including with business intelligence, analytics, and data management services company Praesignis in South Africa, getINNOtized in Ghana, and Edojobs in Nigeria.

With the support of professional mentors and accredited instructors, participants get a foundation of cloud computing knowledge that will propel them into entry-level cloud jobs. The training includes developing skills in programming, networking, security, and relational databases through real-world-scenario-based learning, hands-on labs, and coursework.

“The comprehensive program also provides job interviewing and resume coaching to prepare individuals to take the next steps in their career. By the end of the course, graduates have hard skills, soft skills, and earn their AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Certification, an industry-recognised credential validating cloud computing skills,” AWS added.

South African program graduate Ayanda Dhlamini commented: “I discovered that I liked working in IT, especially in the cloud environment. By the end of the first week of the program, I knew this is the career path for me.”

Dhlamini has further developed her career and has now attained an AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification. AWS said this is a rigorous credential that “demonstrates individuals’ hands-on experience designing available, cost-efficient, fault-tolerant, and scalable distributed systems on AWS.”

Dhlamini believes her success will also go a long way to encouraging other young black women to follow a career in IT and cloud.

“My initial understanding around the fundamentals of IT has changed and, here I am teaching foundational cloud computing skills in a program that empowered me to believe in myself,” she added. “I want to encourage other women to embark on an IT career and empower themselves.”

Fellow graduate Grace Nkosi said: “I always saw myself as being part of an industry that is transforming the world. I believe cloud is transforming not only the IT sector, but the day-to-day world we live in. This program enabled my vision to come true: to be part of an industry that can make a positive difference in the world. It was amazing being in this program.”

Nkosi is now working full time at Praesignis as a Training Administrator for the IT Tech support class of the 2021 AWS re/Start program.