Amazon Web Services (AWS) has opened its first international AWS Skills Center in Cape Town, South Africa.
AWS Skills Centers are Amazon’s dedicated, in-person cloud learning spaces designed for anyone who is curious about cloud computing, and career possibilities in the industry.
Anyone in the local community—regardless of background, education level, or social status— can explore how cloud computing technology is powering everything from weather predictions to smart homes.
The new AWS Skills Center in Cape Town, South Africa features eight immersive exhibits where visitors can explore real-world cloud applications.
“AWS is committed to removing barriers for people to access the skills training they need to grow their careers,” said Maureen Lonergan, Vice President, AWS Training and Certification. “The Cape Town region is ripe with talent, and upskilling the workforce can play a key role in driving innovation, catalyzing economic growth, and accelerating digital transformation across South Africa.”
Cape Town is the third AWS Skills Center to open, joining facilities in Seattle, WA and Arlington, VA. Each center features a wide range of cloud training and career exploration activities that are free of charge and open to the public.
Each space is designed to engage visitors by showcasing how cloud technology is powering everything from weather predictions to robotics.
In addition to supporting the South African community, AWS Skills Center Cape Town is helping to fulfill Amazon’s goal of providing free digital skills training to 29 million people around the globe by 2025.
AWS’s free training offerings range from on-demand, self-paced courses to cohort-based workforce development programs.
Amazon says the new Cape Town AWS Skills Center is helping expand workforce-development programs and transformation strategies in the local community. One of the primary objectives is to level the playing field through free education initiatives for nontechnical workers, helping to meet the growing need for skilled cloud talent.