AWS invests €5 million to transform Ghana’s tech sector through cloud computing training program
In a bid to revolutionize Ghana’s technology landscape and empower youth with in-demand skills, Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS) has committed a substantial investment of €5 million.
The investment aims to bolster skill development, enhance youth employment, and promote diversity in the country’s burgeoning tech sector.
The focal point of this investment is AmaliTech Training, a renowned institution known for its intensive IT skills development programs. AWS’s support will facilitate the expansion of qualified professionals in cloud computing over the next three years, equipping young individuals with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in this critical field.
The culmination of this investment was celebrated at the graduation ceremony of the first cohort of learners from the AWS-AmaliTech Cloud training program. Held on Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Takoradi, Western Region, the event marked a significant milestone in Ghana’s tech evolution.
Salami Suleiman, head of training at AmaliTech, emphasized the significance of the partnership with AWS in addressing the dearth of cloud computing expertise in Ghana. He highlighted the program’s commitment to providing job opportunities for graduates and unemployed individuals, thereby fostering economic empowerment and innovation.
“Today is a graduation ceremony that has been organized for our first cohorts of AWS-AmaliTech Cloud training program that started last year. In Ghana there hasn’t been much presence of the cloud computing techs, so we together with AWS to channel this into job creation. There’s an assured employment for people with this skill. We are very excited that we got this opportunity from AWS to train people here. So this is like the pilot training and because of that we selected people who just coming out of school (41% are NSS personnel and the remaining are unemployed graduates). So this is an opportunity to grab people like that who are available to commit for a program like this and this module will continue paying key attention to unemployed graduates who want opportunities like this.”
“Altogether there were 200 people who went through the selection process, but 120 strated and now 106 completed the program -there were a few drop outs. We are yet to start the next cohort and there are a lot of people who have applied. We are hoping that by October we would have achieved our 750 target for the 1st year of the program”, he added.
Kenneth Attah Oppong, a beneficiary of the training program, shared his positive experience, emphasizing the value of acquiring cloud computing skills in today’s competitive job market. He urged others to seize the opportunity offered by AWS and AmaliTech, noting the high demand for cloud skills and the program’s effectiveness in imparting relevant expertise.
“The training process was smooth. I have improved on my skills. I will want to tell people to take advantage of this great opportunity offered by AWS and AmaliTech. Been enrolled in this program will position you ahead because a lot of companies are adopting cloud computing and cloud skills are in a very high demand. They should throw away their skepticism and apply. AmaliTech will make it very easy for them to understand and acquire the skill.”
With 106 graduates successfully completing the inaugural program and more applicants eager to join subsequent cohorts, the impact of AWS’s investment is poised to ripple across Ghana’s tech sector. As the country embraces digital transformation, initiatives like the AWS-AmaliTech partnership play a crucial role in shaping a future-ready workforce and driving sustainable economic growth.
AWS’s commitment to investing in Ghana’s tech ecosystem underscores the importance of nurturing local talent and fostering diversity within the industry. By providing resources and support to initiatives like AmaliTech Training, AWS aims to empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in cloud computing.
The graduation ceremony for the inaugural batches of learners represents a momentous occasion, symbolizing the culmination of hard work, dedication, and determination. AWS extends a warm invitation to stakeholders and media representatives to attend and cover this significant event.
The course structure is based on the AWS re/Start program, a free, cohort-based workforce development training program that helps individuals build cloud computing skills and connects participants with employment opportunities at local employers. Training includes practical career skills such as interviewing and resume writing to help participants prepare for entry-level cloud roles, including cloud operations, infrastructure support, programming, security, database fundamentals, and security techniques and commercial support functions.
Since its foundation in 2020, AmaliTech programs have already provided more than 1,000 people in Ghana and Rwanda with much-needed digital skills for today’s job market. Training a further 5,000 people in cloud computing marks another major step forward for Ghana’s economy, the livelihoods of Ghana’s growing workforce, and building a sustainable technology ecosystem in West Africa. AmaliTech puts inclusion front and centre: investing in women’s empowerment and integrating people with disabilities into the workplace.
The course structure is based on the AWS re/Start program, a free, cohort-based workforce development training program that helps individuals build cloud computing skills and connects participants with employment opportunities at local employers. Training includes practical career skills such as interviewing and resume writing to help participants prepare for entry-level cloud roles, including cloud operations, infrastructure support, programming, security, database fundamentals, and security techniques and commercial support functions.
As Ghana’s tech sector continues to evolve and expand, AWS’s investment serves as a testament to the company’s dedication to driving innovation, fostering talent, and promoting inclusivity. Through initiatives like AmaliTech Training, AWS is not only investing in the future of cloud computing but also in the future of Ghana’s digital economy.
