Amazon Launches AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance in the UK to Address AI Skills Gap
Amazon has launched the AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance in the UK, aiming to equip 100,000 learners with emerging technology skills by 2030. The initiative addresses the growing demand for AI literacy in the UK workforce, with research indicating that nearly half (47%) of new UK jobs will require AI skills in the next three years.
The Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance is a collaborative effort between Amazon, education institutions, government leaders, and enterprises. It focuses on developing skills in AI, generative AI, cybersecurity, and big data, particularly in industries such as healthcare, defense, financial services, and manufacturing. The program combines industry-validated content, hands-on experience, and direct connections to employers to prepare learners for entry-level technical careers.
According to recent research commissioned by Amazon Web Services (AWS), UK businesses are struggling to find talent with adequate digital skills. The study found that:
- 46% of businesses reported that a lack of digital skills has slowed down their operations, up from 32% last year
- It takes UK businesses an average of 5.5 months to hire an employee with sufficient digital skills
- 41% of businesses are struggling to find candidates with the necessary digital skills
To address these challenges, the AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance will:
- Provide education institutions with access to AWS and employer-supported resources, such as AWS Academy
- Enhance curricula based on industry-demanded technical and professional competencies
- Offer learners hands-on projects and real-world industry challenges to develop job-ready skills
- Provide job coaching to help learners engage with employers and explore career opportunities
The program has garnered support from various stakeholders, including AI and Digital Government Minister Feryal Clark, who stated: “The AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance will be key to ensuring students and young people have the skills needed for successful careers in tech, putting them at the forefront of the UK’s digital revolution.”
Dal Channa, Accenture’s Corporate Citizenship lead in the UK, added: “With 8.5 million adults in the UK still lacking basic digital skills, digital inclusion urgently needs to be addressed. We share in the commitment of the AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance to improve access to digital skills training and ensure learning programs are aligned with employer needs.”
John Davies, Managing Director UK, Germany & International Organizations, Public Sector at AWS, emphasized: “Removing barriers to accessing digital skills training is critical for helping the UK become a digital leader. We’re delighted to launch the AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance in the UK to create flexible, accessible training programs for students looking to pursue a career in technology.”
Globally, the AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance has already seen participation from over 990 educational institutions and more than 780 employers. The initiative aims to bridge the cloud technology skills gap and prepare learners for in-demand, entry-level technical jobs.
