After being of being a stay-at-home mum for a long time, IT project manager Abada (Abi) Parveen was eager to return to her technology career. However, being out of the workforce for some time, Abi knew she needed to upskill to re-enter the workforce.
In October last year, Abi joined Amazon Web Service’s (AWS) re/Start program - a skills development and job training program delivered in collaboration with Goanna Solutions, a leading Indigenous Australian-owned technology enterprise.
The training is delivered through virtual classrooms with hands-on labs and coursework, focused on real-world scenarios. Attendees require no previous technology experience, and the program teaches technical skills, plus training in behaviours, mindsets, and employment essentials, supported by accredited trainers and professional mentors.
After completing the 12-week program, an average of 90% of learners are connected with job opportunities. For Abi, that opportunity was with TAFE NSW where she secured a role with their Technology Support Team. She is also interested in advancing her career in Machine Learning (ML) and Business Intelligence (BI).
“The AWS re/Start program gave me the opportunity to refresh my skills and helped develop my knowledge of the latest technologies, particularly cloud computing”, said Abi. “It was easy to engage with, and the teachers were really helpful. AWS provided hands-on practical training opportunities throughout the 12-week online course, and also helped us connect to a network of IT Professionals. I’ve put these skills into practice already, particularly as my workplace continues to move towards the cloud.”
Research from AlphaBeta, commissioned by AWS, shows Australia will require an additional 6.5 million newly-skilled and reskilled digital workers by 2025 to meet future demand for technology skills. That’s 79% more digitally skilled workers than there are in Australia today. AlphaBeta predicts that learning basic digital skills is critical for non-digitally skilled workers to increase productivity in their current jobs, and for disenfranchised workers to secure new employment opportunities by 2025. While the primary focus for these groups should be on learning basic digital skills, for a subset of these workers, building foundational cloud computing competencies can help them launch a new career.
Abi is passionate about digital upskilling and frequently helps her friends and family learn new technologies.
“Two of my friends were IT professionals, currently working in banking and finance. They’re looking for a way to move back into technology so I’ve suggested the course to them. I’ve also encouraged my own brother to get in touch with the AWS re/Start co-ordinators,” said Abi.
The AWS re/Start program currently works with Australian learners across Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. If you’re interested in joining the program, you can register your interest here.
