AWS Launches Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance Program in Brazil
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is taking steps to democratize access to technology qualifications, ensuring students are well-prepared for the demands of the modern job market. In partnership with employers and universities, AWS has launched the Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance program in Brazil, a crucial initiative designed to connect students directly with employment opportunities. This program comes at a critical time, as the global tech industry faces a significant skills gap.
According to the 2024 Job Skills report from Coursera, the shortage of qualified tech professionals remains at its highest point in nearly two decades. Many industry leaders express concerns that recent graduates may not possess the practical skills required for the workforce, especially given the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). To counter this, AWS, along with talent developers and educational institutions, has created a skills map that identifies the capabilities needed for entry-level technology roles. This map serves as the foundation for the Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance.
Participating institutions gain access to AWS self-guided research tools, including the skills map and curriculum gap analysis. Since its 2023 launch, the AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance has already engaged 1,050 educational institutions and over 250,000 learners worldwide. The program underscores AWS’s commitment to uniting industry, government, and educational bodies to enhance technical skills training and align it with real-world job market needs. As of October 2024, the Brazil-based AWS Tech Alliance has positively impacted over 10,000 learners across the country.
In the current year, the Alliance has collaborated with 116 educational institutions to modernize their curricula, integrating both technical and soft skills that are in high demand within the tech industry. Moreover, the Tech Alliance has organized more than 40 events, successfully connecting talented individuals from acceleration programs with potential employers. A noteworthy collaboration involved SENAI Recife, Air Group/Compass UOL, and the Recife City Hall’s Economic Development Secretariat, which worked together to upskill more than 250 candidates from underserved communities, helping them secure initial employment.
Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance Curriculum
The AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance curriculum features courses focused on developing critical skills for the job market. These include cloud computing and the development of essential hard and soft skills needed to boost employability. Additionally, the program encompasses activities such as job fairs, webinars, and expert panels, all organized in partnership with both employers and educational institutions.
The program identifies skills relevant to various roles, including IT support, data analysis, Python programming, product analysis, networking, cloud, and software development.
Initial collaborators in Brazil include the Anima Group, YDUQS, Compass UOL, and Instituto Matera.
AWS Women in Cloud
A significant challenge for AWS customers in Brazil is finding diverse talent, including women and minorities. National Household Sample Survey data (PNAD 2020) reveals that only 20 percent of Brazil’s IT workforce is comprised of women. Consequently, the AWS Women in Cloud initiative forms a vital component of the program, targeting the empowerment of women in technology.
The core aim of AWS Women in Cloud is to inspire, motivate, and connect students and leaders with cloud computing qualifications and employment prospects. The program simultaneously champions inclusivity in IT and aims to increase female empowerment within the sector. The AWS Women in Cloud program has already aided over 2,800 women in Brazil, providing cloud computing training to over 1,100 students and connecting participants with entry-level job opportunities. The initiative is designed to transform careers and lives.
One success story from the AWS Women in Cloud initiative is Paula Casarini, who successfully transitioned her career into IT. Since 2023, Paula has been working as a solutions architect at AWS Brazil.
“With AWS Women in Cloud, I accelerated my career transition from design to technology by being hired by the largest cloud provider in the market,” says Paula. “Ageism was a challenging factor for my entry into the market, a real and discouraging challenge at 37 years old. The program supported and encouraged me through the presence of other women in IT and employers who seek to foster not only gender diversity, but the inclusion of talented people, regardless of age.”
In addition to providing soft skills training through AWS Women in Cloud, the initiative, branded as “Tech Divas,” held an employment fair on November 13, 2024, which took place at Casa da Indústria in Recife. The event was successful, with more than 90 women interviewed in-person by 12 companies.
Another key initiative is “Career Without Barriers,” which has impacted more than 1,500 talents with disabilities. The Tech Alliance hosted a career day with a preparation track, covering technical and interpersonal skills. More than 300 graduates had the opportunity to interview with companies specifically seeking to hire people with disabilities for technology roles.
Planning for the Future
Looking ahead to 2025, the AWS Tech Alliance is expanding its footprint in Brazil by welcoming new collaborators like Intel, MKT55, SENAI São Paulo, and COGNA, alongside existing educational institutions. The goal is to develop tech talent across Brazil. The Alliance is growing its presence in the north and northeast regions of Brazil to address increasing employer demand for skilled tech professionals in those areas. This expansion is designed to meet regional workforce requirements and stimulate economic development.
The Tech Alliance now boasts a pipeline of over 120 companies as participating employers. These organizations actively support the initiative by providing employment opportunities and mentorships for newly skilled tech professionals. In alignment with its mission to foster diverse talent, the AWS Women in Cloud initiative plans various activities throughout 2025.
The program will kick off in January with an internship job fair hosted by Select Solutions, a key employer within the Tech Alliance. This event signifies the start of Women in Cloud’s proactive endeavors to connect skilled women with career opportunities, thereby boosting diversity and inclusion in the technology sector while meeting the growing demand for skilled and diverse talent across Brazil.
