Hamilton-based Wintec is joining AWS Academy.
Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) has joined AWS Academy, an Amazon Web Services programme designed to prepare students to become part of the cloud IT workforce.
Cloud computing has been described as one of the biggest culture shifts in IT, requiring a change in mindset and trained IT professionals who understand what it means to be “cloud native”.
Wintec IT students can now enrol in a foundational AWS Academy course that will help them to then pursue industry-recognised AWS certifications.
“To enter the sought-after world of cloud computing, IT professionals need the right skillsets," said Aaron Steele, director of the centre for information technology at Wintec.
"The AWS Academy programme helps students develop technical skills to position them for the future IT workforce."
The AWS Academy curriculum is developed and maintained by AWS subject matter experts, ensuring it is up to date and reflects current services and best practises.
Courses are taught by AWS Academy accredited and trained educators.
Some of the most in-demand roles that require cloud-related skills include software engineer, software architect, cloud engineer, data engineer and Java developer, Steele said.
“In New Zealand, technology is our third largest export sector generating $7.9 billion in offshore revenue and yet the workforce is made up of only 120,000 employees,” said Tim Dacombe-Bird, New Zealand country manager of AWS.
The courses are self-paced with hands-on, practical elements and are available online to students.
The first intake starts in February 2020.
Auckland ICT Graduate School, a collaboration between Auckland and Waikato universities, adopted AWS Academy in July.
