GirlCode, a leading technology non-profit organisation, is making waves in the tech industry by providing a digital learning hub for young girls looking to get into technology. The organisation’s mission is to bridge the gender skills gap in tech and make it more accessible to women. With the collaboration of Amazon Web Services (AWS), GirlCode is offering an eight-week cloud boot camp to help prepare participants for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam.
Since its founding in 2014, GirlCode has grown to include three online courses that aim to strengthen various tech skills. The cloud boot camp is designed to provide participants with the technical and soft skills they need to succeed in the job market. Through video tutorials created by the GirlCode team, participants learned about AWS cloud concepts, services, security, architecture, and support. The program also included an online community discussion board where participants could connect with other learners.
The CEO of GirlCode, Zandile Mkwanazi, stated that the organisation’s collaboration with AWS is crucial for ensuring accessibility to emerging technology training and certification, especially in South Africa where young people face significant challenges. With the support of Standard Bank and AWS, GirlCode is able to provide its students with the skills they need to get hired by any ICT business or big corporation that uses AWS technology. There is a high demand for these skills in the job market, and the program has already enrolled 3366 women since applications opened on October 1, 2022. Of these participants, 55% are unemployed.
The SHE Dares program, powered by Standard Bank and AWS, further accentuates and accelerates the cloud practitioner journey. The program challenges women all over South Africa to earn the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification, which validates their cloud fluency and overall understanding of the AWS Cloud.
Ayanda Sibanyoni, a 20-year-old graduate of the AWS program, attests to the program’s effectiveness. “Getting started with the program was a walk in the park because our facilitators made sure we had all the resources and support necessary to be successful,” she said. “The AWS skills builder was the program’s standout feature because it was simple to use and had modules that accommodated everyone.”
This collaboration between AWS and GirlCode is an example of what can be achieved when organisations come together to empower women in technology. The future looks bright for South African women in tech, and there is no limit to what they can accomplish with the right skills and support.
