In a monumental stride towards bolstering South Africa’s technological prowess and economic growth, the Western Cape Government (WCG) has extended a warm embrace to the inauguration of Amazon Web Services’ (AWS) pioneering international AWS Skills Centre in Cape Town. This historic launch coincides with AWS Africa (Cape Town) Region’s ambitious planned investment of R46 billion, spanning the years from 2018 to 2029.
Having already injected a substantial R15.6 billion between 2018 and 2022, AWS Africa (Cape Town) Region’s financial commitment is anticipated to become a formidable driver of South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP). A comprehensive Economic Impact Study commissioned by AWS projects an infusion of R80 billion into the national economy from 2018 to 2029.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by the presence of Premier Alan Winde, Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities Mireille Wenger, and esteemed AWS officials. This occasion marks the official opening of the AWS Skills Centre in Cape Town, a landmark achievement as the first AWS Skills Centre to venture beyond the borders of the United States.
At the heart of the AWS Skills Centre initiative is the provision of accessible cloud computing training, aimed at individuals keen to capitalize on the array of career opportunities stemming from cloud technology. This initiative encompasses a series of free foundational cloud training, carefully designed to equip South Africans with the requisite skills to excel in the dynamic realm of cloud computing.
Premier Alan Winde, brimming with optimism about the collaborative venture, said, “We look forward to working with AWS to bring powerful training resources to the residents of South Africa. By investing in our people and their future, we are also investing in South Africa’s future and advancing our stature in the global economy.”
Minister Wenger lauded the AWS Skills Centre initiative, citing its seamless alignment with the province’s comprehensive economic action plan, aptly named “Growth For Jobs.” She emphasized, “The opening of this impressive skills centre by AWS is exactly the kind of investment and skills development programmes we are looking to attract to the province because investment generates economic growth, which then leads to job creation.”
The AWS Skills Centre is a platform open to all individuals, featuring immersive exhibits that vividly illustrate real-world applications of cloud computing technology. In addition to these exhibits, the centre offers live instructor-led training sessions and comprehensive resources to aid individuals in their journey towards earning an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification.
Premier Winde underscored the strategic significance of the AWS Skills Centre, especially in the context of the recently unveiled “Growth For Jobs” Strategy: “The launch of this world-class skills centre comes at an opportune and crucial time, especially as we move forward to implement our recently launched Growth For Jobs Strategy – our ambitious plan to dramatically scale up and boost economic growth and job creation in the province, which fully embraces and incorporates skills development.”
With a nod to the recent statistics on job creation, Premier Winde reiterated the critical importance of continued skills development and robust private sector investment. He concluded, “If we are to maintain this momentum, we must continuously facilitate skills development and further investment from private sector partners like AWS.”
The AWS Skills Centre epitomizes the commitment of both Amazon Web Services and the Western Cape Government towards fostering innovation, skill enhancement, and economic prosperity in South Africa. This collaborative endeavor is poised to redefine the nation’s technological landscape, ushering in an era of transformation that reverberates across various sectors of the economy.
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