AWS re/Start is a free, full-time training programme designed to launch careers in cloud computing — no technical background required. Graduates leave with foundational AWS skills, a path to the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification, and direct connections to AWS hiring partners. Here is everything you need to know.
What is AWS re/Start?
AWS re/Start is an AWS-sponsored programme delivered by authorised training partners worldwide. It targets career changers, recent graduates, veterans, and unemployed individuals who want to break into tech. The programme is fully free — AWS and its partners subsidise the entire cost for participants.
- Duration: Typically 12–16 weeks, full-time Monday to Friday
- Format: Instructor-led classroom training, hands-on AWS labs, scenario-based projects
- Cost: Free to participants — zero fees, zero hidden costs
- Outcome: AWS Cloud Practitioner certification preparation plus employer connections via AWS partner network
- Who delivers it: Authorised AWS training partners, including ILMTEC in the UK and Middle East
Who is AWS re/Start For?
AWS re/Start is explicitly designed for people who are not currently working in tech:
- Career changers from non-technical backgrounds — retail, hospitality, military, education, healthcare
- Recent school or college leavers without IT experience
- Unemployed or underemployed job seekers looking to enter a high-growth field
- Women returning to the workforce after a career break
- Veterans and service leavers transitioning to civilian careers
You do not need a degree, prior coding experience, or any technical qualifications to apply. Commitment and motivation matter far more than background.
What Will You Learn?
The AWS re/Start curriculum is comprehensive and hands-on across every module:
- Cloud fundamentals: What cloud computing is, AWS global infrastructure, and core services including EC2, S3, RDS, VPC, and IAM
- Linux basics: Command line navigation, file permissions, and practical shell scripting
- Networking: TCP/IP, DNS, routing fundamentals, and AWS security groups
- Python scripting: Basic automation with Python and Boto3 (the AWS SDK for Python)
- Security: IAM roles and policies, MFA implementation, encryption, and compliance basics
- Databases: Amazon RDS, DynamoDB, and fundamental SQL operations
- DevOps basics: CI/CD pipeline concepts and an introduction to AWS CloudFormation
All labs run in real AWS environments — not simulations — so graduates have genuine cloud experience from day one.
The AWS Certification Path After re/Start
Re/Start prepares you for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) exam — the entry-level AWS certification and the most widely recognised cloud credential for career changers.
- AWS Cloud Practitioner: First certification, covered fully within the re/Start programme
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate: The natural next step, typically 3–6 months after graduation
- AWS Developer Associate / SysOps Associate: Role-specific paths depending on whether you move toward development or operations
AWS certification holders earn on average 26% more than uncertified peers in equivalent roles (AWS Global Skills Report 2025).
Career Outcomes and Salary Expectations
AWS re/Start graduates typically move into these entry-level cloud roles:
- Cloud Support Engineer / AWS Support Specialist
- Junior Systems Administrator
- Cloud Operations Analyst
- Junior DevOps Engineer
- IT Support Specialist with cloud infrastructure focus
Starting salaries in the UK range from £28,000 to £38,000. In the UAE, entry-level cloud roles typically start at AED 8,000–14,000 per month. Entry-level cloud positions have seen 43% year-on-year demand growth since 2023 (LinkedIn Workforce Report 2026).
How to Apply for AWS re/Start
Applications open in cohort cycles. The typical process involves:
- Online application: Background information and a motivation statement explaining why you want to move into cloud
- Aptitude assessment: A logic and problem-solving test — no technical knowledge required
- Interview: A conversation about your motivation and your commitment to attending the full-time programme
- Offer and onboarding: Equipment provision (via the delivery partner), Slack access, and pre-reading materials to start before day one
AWS re/Start with ILMTEC
ILMTEC is an authorised AWS re/Start delivery partner in the UK and Middle East. Our cohorts run in partnership with local employment authorities and training bodies. We deliver the official AWS re/Start curriculum with additional career coaching, CV and LinkedIn preparation, and direct employer introductions through the AWS hiring partner network. Applications for our next cohort are open on a rolling basis — contact us via our website to register your interest and be notified when the next cohort opens.
