Staying competitive: Why investing in cloud skills matters

The enterprise workforce is increasingly mobile. Consequently, businesses are turning to cloud technology to modernize their IT systems and improve the way their employees work together. As more executives embrace migration to the cloud, however, it is a challenge for their IT team to keep pace and help the organization realize its full potential. 

Digital Accelerator, the event hosted by AWS in collaboration with IDG Media held recently in Bengaluru, centered on the theme Staying Competitive: Why investing in cloud skills matters. Here are some of the highlights from the esteemed roster of speakers.

IDG

Bridge Talent Gap, Build Cloud Skills

Shantheri Mallaya, Executive Editor, IDG

Related: 2019 IDG State of the CIO Survey 

As cloud technologies become the new normal, organizations are looking to accelerate cloud adoption to remain competitive in their markets. Digital decision-makers are acutely aware of the top five domains — cloud computing among them — where there are significant technology skills gaps. Mallaya emphasized that every organization needs to identify and train people in three key roles: cloud architect, cloud security specialist, and cloud data scientist.

AWS has a rich set of migration programs, including the Migration Acceleration Program and Digital Innovation Program, to help enterprises retire technical debt in a seamless manner.

Conor McNamara

Accelerated Cloud Transformation through Training

Conor McNamara, Head of Business Development, APAC, AWS 

Cloud technologies promise big savings in infrastructure spending, thus digital transformation has become a primary business imperative for many organizations. McNamara explained why it is critical to understand the tightening relationship between cloud adoption and business performance improvement.

 Rapidly scaling up on the cloud transforms organizations, and they will move steadily closer to cloud-only strategies. He noted that foundation, migration, and re-invention are clear-cut cloud paths that have helped AWS customers such as GE and Capital One chart their digital transformation and business growth.  

The Value of AWS Training and Certification

Employees already have invaluable knowledge about their company, its products, and its customers. Building new skills atop their existing knowledge is the most effective way to bridge the cloud skills gap and accelerate digital transformation.

AWS Digital Training offers on-demand digital courses that help people learn new cloud skills and services when and where it’s convenient for them — and often at no cost.

AWS Classroom Training offers live classes with instructors who teach people in-demand cloud skills in a hands-on learning environment.

 AWS Training and Certification offers a broad portfolio of cloud courses for beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners that build competence, confidence, and credibility, helping employees innovate and build their future.  

Rather than look externally for cloud skills, organizations should prioritize investing in their existing talent. We have seen over and over again how reskilling one’s existing workforce on cloud gives organizations a ready-made talent pool equipped with organizational awareness and new cloud skills. Training also typically contributes to a higher level of employee engagement, improved productivity, and customer outcomes.

Conor McNamara

Head of Business Development, APAC, AWS

Whether the employee has a business or technical role in the organization, there are courses and learning paths that will enable them to understand and employ cloud concepts and technologies. Role-based learning paths are available for cloud practitioners, architects, developers, and operations professionals. Solutions paths are offered for machine learning, AWS media services, and storage.

Security paths encompass big data, advanced networking, and security. There really is something for everyone. And, for those interested in obtaining an industry-recognized credential, there are several AWS Certifications that validate technical skills and expertise.