The AWS Approach to Social Value in UK Public Sector
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is committed to delivering substantial social value across the United Kingdom (UK) public sector through strategic technology initiatives and partnerships. The AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance, launched in April 2025, exemplifies this commitment by addressing critical AI and cloud computing expertise shortages in the public sector. With research indicating that AI literacy will be required for 47% of new UK jobs by 2028, and 41% of UK organizations currently unable to fill digital skills positions, the alliance aims to train 100,000 people in AI skills by 2030.
The program has secured partnerships with prestigious institutions like the University of Exeter and the University of Manchester, while Accenture and Deloitte provide technical requirements guidance for emerging tech careers. This initiative builds upon Amazon’s significant presence in the UK, where they maintain one of the country’s largest private sector workforces with approximately 75,000 employees across various corporate and technology functions.
Key Pillars of AWS Social Value Initiatives
AWS focuses on four key pillars to create lasting social impact:
- Democratizing Access to Digital Skills: AWS promotes digital literacy across all demographics through programs like AWS re/Start, which provides free cloud computing training and industry-recognized certification.
- Powering Sustainable Innovation: Amazon achieved 100% renewable energy matching across all its operations in 2023. AWS partners with organizations to expand environmental impact and conducts sustainability workshops to help customers optimize their cloud workload efficiency.
- Catalyzing Economic Growth: AWS enables digital transformation for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) through initiatives like the Amazon Innovation Accelerator, providing training to over 150 small businesses in 2024.
- Fostering Wellbeing: AWS prioritizes safety, health, and mental wellbeing through various support programs, including mindfulness sessions and stress management workshops.
Creating Lasting Impact
The AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance is at the forefront of AWS’s efforts to address critical skills gaps in AI and cloud computing. By focusing on key pillars such as democratizing access to digital skills, powering sustainable innovation, catalyzing economic growth, and fostering wellbeing, AWS is not only contributing to the UK’s technological advancement but also supporting broader societal goals. As AI and Digital Government Minister Feryal Clark emphasizes, “We need to make sure that students and young people in every community have the skills they need to explore successful, long-lasting careers in tech—putting them in the driving seat of the UK’s digital revolution.”
By leveraging technology, expertise, and resources, AWS aims to empower individuals, businesses, and public sector organizations to innovate, grow, and thrive in an increasingly digital world.
