apna.co has collaborated with Generation India Foundation to create employment opportunities for graduates from the Amazon Web Services (AWS) re/Start program. Apna will work with graduates to build professional skills and connect them to technology and cloud-related jobs via its platform. The collaboration will help meet industry demand for IT and cloud talent across India.
Apna aims to empower professionals and bridge India’s talent gap by leveraging its network of employers. This will facilitate a seamless integration of AWS re/Start graduates into the job market.
AWS re/Start graduates will be able to utilise Apna’s platform features to showcase their skills and experience directly to recruiters who are looking to fill entry-level tech roles at organisations across the country.
This collaboration comes at a time when the demand for skilled professionals is increasing across many industries. Gallup research, commissioned by AWS, found that nearly all tech (99 per cent) and non-tech (96 per cent) workers in India are “extremely” or “very interested” in participating in digital skills training. However, 62 per cent of tech and 50 per cent of non-tech workers in India say “lack of time” is the biggest barrier to upskilling.
AWS re/Start is a free workforce development program for unemployed and underemployed individuals. It covers entry-level cloud skills training as well as practical career tips, including resume writing and interview preparation. Through real-world scenario-based exercises, labs, and coursework, learners are trained on multiple technologies, including Linux, Python, networking, security, and relational databases. The program also covers the cost for learners to take the AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification exam that validates their cloud skills and knowledge.
"In today's fast-paced world of technology, there is growing demand for a skilled workforce to meet industry needs. AWS, being a frontrunner in the tech industry, is a hub for cutting-edge innovation. Through our collaboration with the Generation India Foundation and the AWS re/Start program, we are empowering aspiring professionals and helping bridge the gap between talent and the demand for skilled workers in India’s tech industry," said Nirmit Parikh, founder and CEO of apna.co.
Founded in 2019, apna.co is a job search platform that helps India’s workforce unlock unique professional networking and skilling opportunities. The unicorn claims to have more than 40 million users in 70-plus cities and over 545,000 employers as part of its network.
AWS re/Start currently operates in over 180 cities across more than 60 countries and connects 98 per cent of graduates with employment opportunities. “AWS re/Start brings net-new talent into the workforce, helping individuals to launch successful cloud careers, organizations to increase their competitive edge with in-demand talent, and communities to thrive and grow. We are excited to collaborate with apna to create a diverse, robust cloud workforce of the future, allowing organizations to accelerate their innovation with cloud,” added Amit Mehta, head of business development for education and training at Amazon Web Services India.
According to Arunesh Singh, CEO of Generation India Foundation, this collaboration with apna and AWS re/Start will help transform the job landscape, providing aspiring professionals with unparalleled access to exciting and important career opportunities in tech. “We are excited to work with apna and AWS to transform the way talent is discovered, nurtured, and connected with employers, ultimately shaping the future of the job market in India,” he said.
