San Jose, December 2023. In a strategic collaboration between Elev8, AWS re/Start, and Amazon Career Choice, 120 Costa Rican Amazon associates have successfully completed a cloud computing and job-readiness program. This initiative equipped participants with essential AWS Cloud skills that prepare them to successfully attain their AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification, enhancing their professional capabilities and positioning them for competitive entry-level IT roles.
This pilot program is part of Amazon Career Choice’s commitment to empowering employees to learn new skills for career success.
Kenya Villalobos, Country Manager of Amazon Costa Rica, emphasized Amazon’s long-term commitment to the country, stating: “At Amazon, we believe that education is key to the social and economic transformation of countries. Through AWS re/Start, we aim to empower our employees with cloud-based opportunities, enabling them to transform their realities and aspire to specialized positions in the technology industry.”
Delivered by Elev8, the pilot cohort launched in February and concluded in October. Over the seven months, students delved into Linux, and programming languages like Python, as well as networking, security, and databases. Additionally, to validate their cloud skills, participants prepared for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification, specifically tailored for roles in operations, site reliability, and infrastructure support. The current certification rate is 60%.
Jeannie Bonilla, Country Manager of Elev8 Costa Rica, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating: “As the digital landscape expands, so does the demand for technology skills. We are thrilled to partner with Amazon on this initiative in Costa Rica, confident that it will pave the way for new employment opportunities by providing employees with the skills and knowledge needed for specialized technology and digital roles.”
Elev8, through its dedicated talent department, is fostering connections between the reskilled graduates and prominent employers in the IT industry, including EY, Software One, BAC, CWT, SPC International, Spectraforce, Tek Experts, In2Clouds, Pertek, Recluta Talenthunter, and Advision Development, particularly in roles associated with cloud technology like DevOps Jr. Engineers, Technical Support agents, Cloud Infrastructure Specialists and Datacenter Technicians.
The program’s comprehensive reskilling equips candidates with the expertise to confidently navigate and embrace new career opportunities in the dynamic sector of technology. Eight candidates have already transitioned to new IT roles, underscoring the program’s effectiveness in equipping graduates with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to meet the high bar of industry-leading employers.
Juan Ignacio Brenes, who recently graduated, is a shining example of the transformative power of programs like AWS re/Start. His journey from participant to a valuable contributor at Huawei in technical support underscores the success of this initiative.
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity that AWS re/Start provided me. The program not only enhanced my technical skills but also opened doors to a rewarding career at Huawei. Working in this field has been both challenging and fulfilling, and I look forward to contributing further to Huawei’s success”, he mentioned.
This collaborative effort underscores Amazon’s commitment to investing in its workforce, bridging the digital skills gap, and contributing to the digital evolution of Costa Rica’s professional landscape. Elev8 looks forward to supporting and celebrating graduates as they continue to grow their careers in the dynamic technology sector.
