from all walks of life to consider careers in technology

“Amazon Web Services (AWS) is proud to be part of the movement and believes attracting more young women to STEM careers is critical for the health of Australia’s tech industry,” said Michelle Hardie, Head of Strategy, Operations and Engagement, AWS Australia and New Zealand. “In 2019, just prior to the pandemic, only 19% of Aussie female students enrolled in ICT degrees actually completed and graduated. Critical jobs such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and robotics are deeply rewarding but the challenge is to change gender stereotypes and inspire women about technology beyond the school gates.”

Australian schools receive crash course in cloud computing 

A group of Aussie teens recently took part in AWS GetIT—a global education program and competition designed to introduce 12 to 14-year-old students, especially young women, to digital skills and inspire them to consider a career in technology. It was held in collaboration with the Tech Girls Movement Foundation, an organisation that provides STEM programs throughout Australia to promote innovation and diversity.

Students from 10 schools across New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland got a crash course in cloud computing and worked together in small teams to design an application to solve a real-world issue faced by their school or community. The students then submitted their ideas as part of a competition which was won by OpenMinds from Redeemer Lutheran College in Queensland in May. The team won Kindle devices, and will be visiting the AWS office to meet employees and discover what it’s like to work at a technology company.

“Joining the competition was fun and enjoyable and we experienced and tried new things that we’ve never done before,” said winning team student Zahara. “We are grateful and happy to have participated in the competition, and learned so much including how to work as a group to design an app that can change the world!  The team and teachers provided a lot of guidance and help, which made the AWS GetIT competition a really great experience. We’re proud of the outstanding feedback we received from the judges, and of course our win!”

AWS GetIT making a global impact

Around the world, AWS GetIT is helping build a more inclusive and diverse talent pipeline for the global tech industry where only 33% of employees are women according to Deloitte. As of August 2022, AWS GetIT has trained over 19,000 students across eight countries, and students have designed hundreds of application ideas covering topics like school life, mental health, student support, community, and the environment.

The program also ignites passions in AWS women and non-binary tech professionals who, as AWS GetIT ambassadors, are paired with schools to provide guidance and classroom support. These ambassadors are empowered to build leadership skills and become advocates for diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) across AWS as well as role models to AWS GetIT’s students. Through meeting AWS women leaders, students open their minds to different career paths available in technology, and learn the positive impact that women are having on the tech industry.

During the AWS GetIT event in Australia, ambassadors shared their personal career journeys in technology and showed how it is possible for anyone, no matter their gender, race, religion, socioeconomic status, or background to succeed in tech.

“Part of what makes AWS GetIT so special is our ambassadors, who are a diverse group of women in tech that have a deep commitment to helping young women amplify their voices in a field where they have too often not been heard,” said Cecile Bonnet, global leader for AWS GetIT. “AWS understands that learning occurs over the course of a lifetime, which is why AWS GetIT engages learners with free support wherever they are on their educational journeys. This includes AWS GetIT in addition to other programs such as AWS Academy, which provides universities with ready-to-deliver cloud curriculums, and AWS Educate, which offers free, self-paced online cloud training resources and labs.”

Technology skills for everyone
For people already working, AWS provides programs that extend beyond a classroom learning environment. AWS Skill Builder is a digital learning centre with more than 600 free, self-paced digital cloud skills training courses and learning plans to help anyone—whether in a technical role or not—build cloud skills and expertise. As a person builds cloud skills, AWS Certifications offer the next step to solidify and demonstrate expertise with an industry-recognised credential. AWS also offers CloudUp for Her, a flexible learning pathway for women globally.

Recent Australian digital skills research by Gallup and commissioned by AWS, revealed that 60% of female workers in Australia are extremely or very interested in receiving training in at least one digital skills such as machine learning. While nearly half (48%) of women who have participated in training say it made them more efficient in their work.

“We want young Australian women to be aware of the huge number of career opportunities available in the technology industry today, while creating on-ramps to future careers in the cloud and inspire them to gain confidence and look beyond gender stereotypes,” said Hardie.

For more information about AWS GetIT, visit, https://aws.amazon.com/education/aws-getit/.

PICTURE students are left to right Rishik, Noah, Zahara, Jessica (Tsz Yuen), and Oliver.