Granada University Offers Free AWS re/Start Cloud Skills Training Program

Granada, Spain, October 14, 2021 – Today, the University of Granada announced a collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to provide free cloud computing skills development and job training through the AWS re/Start program in Granada (Andalusia). AWS re/Start is a free, full-time, 12-week training program for unemployed and underemployed people that covers fundamental AWS Cloud skills as well as practical career skills, such as interviewing and resume writing, to help individuals prepare for entry-level cloud roles. The AWS re/Start program is designed to accommodate differing levels of experience—even those with no previous technical experience can apply.

The University of Granada is the first university in Spain to offer this training. Its first AWS re/Start cohort started on October 4.

One of the objectives of the Talent Incubator of the University of Granada is to promote the personal and professional development of students.

As a result of the AWS collaboration, Talent Incubator selected 25 people interested in boosting their professional careers in cloud computing, and it will dedicate resources to run the AWS re/Start program. AWS collaborates with the university by providing teaching materials and sharing guidance based on experience from running the AWS re/Start program worldwide. Program participants will receive free training at the innovation labs of the faculty of economics and business sciences at the University of Granada.

AWS re/Start helps prepare unemployed and underemployed individuals for new careers in technology through scenario-based exercises, hands-on labs, and coursework. Students build Linux, Python, networking, security, and relational database skills. The program also covers the cost for learners to take the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam, validating their cloud skills with an industry-recognized credential. Ultimately, AWS re/Start helps individuals prepare for roles in operations, site reliability, and infrastructure support. The AWS re/Start program is part of Amazon’s efforts to help 29 million people globally grow their cloud computing skills, for free, by 2025.

“The University of Granada offers not only high-level research in digital technologies and professional skills, but also training in these areas. Collaborating with AWS allows our Talent Incubator to continue cooperating with leading companies to develop innovative and free programs focused on improving the employability of our students and alumni,” said Pilar Aranda, president of the University of Granada.

“AWS re/Start is more than just a training program; it is a change-your-life program that helps individuals launch successful careers in the cloud. We are proud to work with the University of Granada to equip individuals with the in-demand cloud skills that will help organizations accelerate their innovation with AWS Cloud,” said Pilar Torres, head of Public Sector, Iberia at Amazon Web Services.

The collaboration between the University of Granada and AWS promotes diversity and focuses on upskilling women, who are almost 70% of the total number of participants. This aligns with one of the objectives of the Talent Incubator—to facilitate women's access to tech careers.

Most of the students in this cohort have previous higher education experience, with no direct relation to technology or science, including fields such as sociology, law, tourism, and human resource management, among others.

"Students are very excited to have the opportunity to redirect their professional career towards cloud computing technology, a field that has enormous potential," said Lola Vidal, professor of human resources at the University of Granada and co-director of the Talent Incubator.

AWS re/start students have access to mentors and University of Granada professors who provide real-world scenario-based exercises. In addition, the Talent Incubator of the University of Granada offers specific seminars focused on areas such as communication, leadership, adaptability, and job search.

According to LinkedIn, cloud computing has been one of the most in-demand hard skills by companies in the last three years. In fact, a recent Pathfinder Report survey shows that nine out of 10 information technology (IT) managers have had difficulty finding qualified professionals, and they consider that the skills gap hinders the digital transformation of their organizations.

“The industry demand for cloud adoption is far outpacing the number of new, cloud-savvy workers, leaving organizations struggling to find and hire the talent needed to implement cloud services. To overcome this supply-versus-demand challenge, we must help individuals from all backgrounds prepare for cloud careers. AWS re/Start brings ‘net-new’ talent into the workforce by helping individuals with little technology background prepare for careers in the cloud,” said Tejas Vashi, AWS re/Start Global Team Lead.

As part of this collaboration, the University of Granada and AWS support graduates by connecting them directly with potential local employers. The objective is to facilitate the incorporation of the graduates into the job market and help them understand local employers’ needs.

Read more about the AWS re/Start program and its global presence.