On-the-job course leads to tech jobs

A two-year apprenticeship offers training at AWS alongside remote coursework from Swinburne – a hybrid approach that was recommended as part of the Universities Accord.

Swinburne / AWS graduates Dasha Lee (L), and Afshan Siddiqui (R)

All 19 students who completed a Swinburne and Amazon Web Service’s Women in STEM ­apprenticeship secured a job at the company.

The two-year apprenticeship offers training at AWS alongside remote coursework from Swinburne – a hybrid approach to university and on-the-job learning that was recommended as part of the Universities Accord.

The Swinburne apprentices spent three days per week working with AWS cloud support teams while completing a Diploma in Applied (Cloud Technologies) from the university. All graduates secured full-time employment offers from AWS.

AWS Cloud Support Associate and Swinburne graduate, Afshan Siddiqui, said the “on-the-job training model” was “truly invaluable”. “It allowed me the flexibility to gain hands-on experience while studying remotely at my own pace. The intensive coursework was challenging at times, but being able to learn on my own schedule made it manageable,” she said.

“This program opened doors for me to transition into an enriching tech career that may not have been possible otherwise. I’m grateful for the innovative opportunity provided.”

Swinburne University pro vice-chancellor and chief executive of vocational education Madelyn Bolch said the program empowered women to build purposeful careers in the technology sector.

“Swinburne is delighted to be collaborating with AWS on this program that has a real-world impact. Ensuring every Swinburne graduate gets a job after graduating is invaluable, as is supporting Women in STEM to up-skill and gain essential industry experience,” she said.

“Having 100 per cent of our initial cohort being offered a permanent role is a testament to the tech and industry skills ­Swinburne is equipping their students with …”

AWS has launched a second apprenticeship intake.

Its chief public sector technologist, Simon Elisha, said the program was “one of many that are intended to uplift under-represented groups and cultivate a more inclusive future for the cloud computing industry”.