Unitar: A Free AWS re/Start to Build Cloud Talent
Petaling Jaya, 20 January 2022 – UNITAR International University is establishing a partnership with Amazon Web Services to deliver free cloud computing skill development and employment training in Malaysia.
The training will be via the AWS re/Start program, a 12-week training programme that prepares jobless and underemployed people for cloud jobs. It also links them with possible employers. The first AWS re/Start cohort in Malaysia began in December 2021 and will complete the programme in March 2022.
Together, UNITAR and AWS re/Start are building an inclusive, diverse global pipeline of new cloud talent in Malaysia. They will engage with unemployed or underemployed individuals who otherwise might not have access to this career path.
Meanwhile, Puvan Balachandran, CEO of UNITAR International University says the program’s mission to help unemployed and underemployed individuals.
“UNITAR’s vision is to accelerate innovative solutions in a global learning ecosystem for a sustainable future. The aim is to create highly employable and entrepreneurial global citizens. This is aligned with the program’s mission to help unemployed and underemployed individuals who might not otherwise have access to technical education. The program will help to develop the skills they need to pursue entry-level cloud roles. UNITAR will help learners gain job-specific skills, connect with employers, and embark on their cloud careers.”
Nevertheless, the first cohort of AWS re/Start students at UNITAR includes a wide range of talents between the ages of 20-56. Meanwhile, this group of students comes from a variety of backgrounds including engineering, banking, education & learning, and general administration.
In-demand cloud
The AWS re/Start program is part of Amazon’s upskilling commitment to help 29 million people globally grow their cloud computing skills for free by 2025.
However, Andrew Sklar, APJ’s Head of AWS Training and Certification says it is to help clients cultivate a loyal workforce.
Andrew Sklar, Head of AWS Training and Certification, APJ, says the program aims to provide customers with a means to build a loyal workforce.
“The AWS re/Start program establishes a win-win scenario for individuals in need, communities in which they reside. The program focuses on connecting unemployed and underemployed individuals to in-demand cloud opportunities. It lifts people and economies within that community, and providing AWS customers and partners with a means to build a loyal and diverse workforce.”
AWS re/Start has a presence in 95 cities in 38 countries, and the collaboration with UNITAR expands the global presence to Malaysia. Working closely alongside UNITAR on this upskilling initiative is PERKESO. PERKESO will connect learners with potential employers in search of candidates with a cloud computing skill set.
Throughout the 12-week program, students will complete real-world-scenario-based exercises, hands-on labs, and coursework. They will allow them to build Linux, Python, networking, security, and relational database skills. In addition, the program covers practical career skills, such as interviewing and resume writing.
Structural mismatches
It also covers the cost for learners to take the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam so they can validate their cloud skills with an industry-ready credential. Ultimately, AWS re/Start helps individuals prepare for roles in operations, site reliability, and infrastructure support.
For Dato Sri Dr Mohammed Azman bin Aziz Mohammed, CEO of PERKESO, this reduces structural mismatches between labour supply/demand.
“Based on real-time vacancies posted on MYFutureJobs, more than 67% of jobs requirement is about digital and computing skills. The initiative by AWS and UNITAR will enhance the employability of unemployed jobseekers with cloud computing skills. It will reduce structural mismatches between labour supply and labour demand in Malaysia. The timely initiative complements PERKESO’s effort to reduce unemployment, stabilize the labour market during the pandemic.