Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Mount Royal University’s Faculty of Continuing Education team up on AWS re/Start
Job skills training program prepares individuals for entry-level roles in cloud computing and connects them to potential employers
Nov. 8, 2021
Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Mount Royal University’s Faculty of Continuing Education are teaming up to offer AWS re/Start, with the support of Calgary Economic Development’s EDGE UP 2.0 program. The job skills training program prepares individuals for entry-level roles in cloud computing and connects them to potential employers.
Funded by the Future Skills Centre, the online offering is a 12-week, full-time skills development program to jump-start a career working in cloud computing. The initiative — offered at no cost to participants — is focused on unemployed and underemployed professionals in the Calgary area who have been displaced from the oil and gas sector or related industry. A technology background is not required.
“The AWS re/Start training program is an innovative way to meet labour demands by providing an opportunity for job-specific training that supports displaced workers as they transition into the technology sector,” says Elizabeth Evans, Interim Provost and Vice-President, Academic. “Mount Royal is committed to meeting the needs of individuals in developing skills to prepare them for the next phase of their career, which makes this an ideal collaboration.”
Through scenario-based learning, hands-on labs and coursework, students gain the skills needed for an entry-level cloud role such as cloud operations, site reliability, infrastructure support and technical-adjacent business support functions. Students learn cloud computing skills and prepare for AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification with free access to practice and full exams.
"Mount Royal University’s Faculty of Continuing Education is dedicated to providing professional upskilling and reskilling opportunities to support career enhancement and career change. We are excited to support learners throughout the AWS re/Start program and help them launch careers in cloud computing,” says Brad Mahon, dean, Faculty of Continuing Education. “Together, AWS re/Start and MRU are excited to help individuals develop in-demand cloud skills and prepare for jobs in and around their local communities."
EDGE UP (Energy to Digital Growth Education and Upskilling Project) 2.0 is a multi-stakeholder program for displaced oil and gas professionals that provides training to support them in new careers in information technology.
“This collaboration between Amazon Web Services and the Faculty of Continuing Education at Mount Royal University to deliver cloud training through the scaled EDGE UP program is a win for Calgary and an illustration of how partnership power can be harnessed to support workers who need it most,” says Pedro Barata, executive director of the Future Skills Centre. “Helping displaced oil and gas talent move toward emerging opportunities in technology is just one example of how we continue to be sector-focused, future-oriented and inclusive in our efforts toward economic recovery.”
More details are coming soon on this exciting new offering taking place in early 2022. We invite those interested to sign up for updates at mru.ca/AWSrestart.
For further information or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Peter Glenn, Senior Media Relations Officer
403.463.6930
mediarelations@mtroyal.ca