Workforce Readiness

University of Hawai‘i and Hawai‘i Public Schools Partner with AWS to Increase Access to Cloud Computing Education Statewide

• By Rhea Kelly
• 08/31/22

A new collaboration among the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE), University of Hawaiʻi System (UH), and Amazon Web Services (AWS) aims to build a cloud computing talent pipeline from high school through higher education, with a short-term goal of training and certifying 150 learners by 2025. The initiative will provide access to cloud computing education courses at schools and universities across the state, beginning with a pilot at 'Aiea and Pearl City high schools.  

Through the AWS Academy program, participating educational institutions will receive no-cost, ready-to-teach cloud computing curriculum, as well as instructor training, to prepare students for industry-recognized AWS certifications and cloud computing jobs, according to a news announcement. Students will also have access to self-paced online courses and labs from AWS.

"The cloud has become the predominant method to rapidly deploy new information systems and services," said UH President David Lassner, in a statement. "We are delighted to enter into this new statewide commitment with AWS, one of the leading cloud service providers in the world, and the Hawaiʻi Department of Education, to plan how we will work together to provide real-world AWS skills and certifications to Hawaiʻi residents and students at all levels across the islands."

"This is an exciting time as we align K-12 education and higher education with workforce development and emerging sectors in Hawai‘i — such as IT and cloud computing— to ensure our students are the top candidates for high-skill, high-wage, in-demand, and future-focused jobs," added HIDOE Superintendent Keith Hayashi. "We look forward to working together to strengthen our shared commitment in preparing our future leaders for Hawai‘i's workforce needs."

"The future of work is being shaped by evolving technology where roles in software development, data science, cybersecurity, machine learning, and more often require cloud computing skills," said Kim Majerus, vice president for U.S. Education, State and Local Government at AWS. "As we try to imagine future jobs that don't currently exist, cloud computing technology will be a driving force in creating those new exciting careers. AWS is proud to collaborate with policy, education, and government leaders in Hawai‘i to prepare learners for in-demand careers today, and help individuals build the foundational skills to pursue the jobs of tomorrow."