AWS launches new initiative to get more girls in IT

It's no secret that the IT industry is wading through issues with gender diversity, with males far outnumbering females.

In light of this, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched its new initiative, AWS Get IT. This new initiative is designed to introduce all Year 8 students (12-13 year olds) in the UK to cloud computing and digital skills and inspire more girls to consider a career in technology.

The programme, developed together with non-profit organisation Future Foundations, will educate students on cloud computing technology and then invite them to create an application to solve a real-world issue faced by their school or community.

AWS will shortlist 10 teams to present to an expert panel of judges at the AWS Summit London 2020, where a winning team will be selected. The most innovative application idea will be developed and maintained for the school by AWS.

As part of the AWS Get IT programme, students will attend digital skills bootcamps where they will learn about the different stages of developing software, including how to identify a target audience for their application, problem solving, brainstorming and research techniques, prototyping, and test and development.

Students will spend time at AWS's offices learning about Amazon's working backwards approach to innovation, and get guidance from AWS and industry experts about application development.

The students will also be introduced to female leaders within AWS and other organisations to show them the different types of career paths available in technology and learn about the positive impact that women are having on the industry.

"AWS Get IT is an initiative for young people to engage with technology and learn valuable new digital skills," says AWS EMEA vice president and managing director Andy Isherwood.

"We want to make young people aware of the huge array of career opportunities available in the technology industry today, and show them they don't have to be deeply technical to have a successful career. AWS Get IT highlights the many aspects of our lives that technology touches, and will introduce young people to a multitude of career options.

"This programme is about much more than providing digital skills. It's about helping young people to fulfil their potential, and breaks down the stereotype that tech is a career best suited to men," says AWS Get IT for Future Foundations head Lucy Moses.

"AWS Get IT provides a strong foundation from which students can grow and learn and makes digital skills accessible to students across the country who may not have had the opportunity otherwise.