AWS CloudUp for Her

The CloudUp for Her, free community training program was developed in 2020 as a pilot to gage the interest of women in learning technology skills together in a safe supportive environment. The initial program was an 8-week framework (program schedule example attached) with a launch event (to set expectations and generate excitement), followed by weekly mentoring sessions that participants can optionally attend while doing the self-paced AWS Cloud Practitioner training modules on the AWS Skill Builder platform. In week 4, a Women in Tech panel event was conducted to showcase role models at different stages of their technology careers and talk to their experiences both good and bad. In week 6 there is exam preparation sessions for those interested in sitting their exam and exam vouchers are provided to participants once they pass a practice exam.

In week 8 a graduation event is held to celebrate success to those that have completed and provide extra motivation to those still studying. A Careers event is conducted at the conclusion of the program to connect women with AWS recruiters and other organisations to assist in connecting them to job opportunities. Surrounding the 8-week framework is a Slack community channel for women to have 24/7 mentorship and a supportive community for women to study together and form new relationships. The pilot was then expanded into a second 16-week Solution Architect program with a hands-on technical workshop component added for women to practice their theoretical skills with mentor support. There are no pre-requisites for women to join the CloudUp for Her Cloud Practitioner program, it is suited to non-tech participants with an interest in tech. The Solution Architect program requires some technical experience or the Cloud Practitioner program completed prior to joining. Over 30% of women that completed the Cloud Practitioner program continue on to the Solution Architect program.