Tag: veterans

The backbone of the internet is crisscrossed with a network of fiber optic cables, carrying internet, TV, and telephone data that most of use every day. Over a two-day period, 33 individuals mostly from Southwest Virginia took part in the AWS Fiber Optic Fusion Splicing Certificate Course, a no-cost two-day training providing students with lectures and hands-on practice with fiber optic installation and repair. The course was held November 14-15 at Mountain Empire Community College (MECC), in Appalachia, Virginia, and in collaboration with MECC and the LENOWISCO Planning District Commission.

Friday, November 11 is Veterans Day in the United States. AWS thanks and honors active duty military and veterans today, and works to show our appreciation and commitment to the military community, veterans, and their spouses through our work year-round. From supporting veteran service organizations and nonprofits to providing training to active-duty and reservist service members, government civilians, transitioning veterans, and military spouses, AWS is dedicated to serving the military and veteran community. Learn more about the progress we’ve made on our ongoing efforts to support the military community throughout the year.

May is Military Appreciation Month, providing an opportunity to recognize and show our appreciation for the US armed services and the important role they play in protecting and preserving our national security. The month includes celebrations and moments to recognize those in and out of uniform, as well as those that have and continue to serve. AWS is committed to supporting our veterans, active duty military, and military spouses. As we begin Military Appreciation Month, we are sharing progress made on our programs and efforts to support the military community.

Earlier this year, Amazon pledged to hire 100,000 veterans and military spouses by 2024. This is an increase of our previous commitment to hire 25,000 veterans and military spouses by 2021—a goal we’ve already surpassed, with about 40,000 currently working for Amazon. At AWS, we are committed to developing and hiring veterans and their spouses into roles focused on STEM. Check out the multiple programs, trainings, and resources available for veterans and spouses.

This week, AWS rolled out our 10-year economic impact study, highlighting how successful the partnership between Virginia and AWS has been for both. Since 2011, AWS has invested $35 billion into the state through our infrastructure investments. As both a Virginian and an Amazonian, I’m most proud of the civic programs and workforce development we’ve created with Virginia to enhance the lives of citizens with our presence. Terry Dickerson, a practice manager at AWS and U.S. Army veteran, is an illustration of the success we’ve realized with Amazon’s Veteran Technical Apprenticeship. Terry shares his story of how our partnership with the higher education system in Virginia has opened the door to his career.

In celebration of Veterans Day, we connected with Marla Bradbury, an Amazon Web Services (AWS) employee, Veteran, and former United States Army pilot. Read on to learn about her military career and what led her to Amazon as well as advice for transitioning military.

This month, the Fix This podcast focused on how technology is used to preserve ancient artifacts, develop the pipeline of scientists that fuel our trips to space, and end homelessness. Listen to episodes seven and eight, featuring interviews with Digital Divide Data (DDD), NASA Jet Propulsion Lab (NASA JPL), Community Solutions, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) expert on homelessness, Jessie Metcalf.

Last week, the bipartisan Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act (S.153) was signed, which will assist veterans re-entering the workforce and encourage veterans to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). At AWS, we’ve developed a number of programs focused on engaging the military community, helping them gain AWS technical skills, and develop successful careers.

In 2016, Amazon made a public commitment to hire and train military Veterans and spouses. As part of that commitment, we committed to hiring 25,000 military Veterans and spouses (a number of whom will join us in AWS) by 2021. As of this month, Amazon now employs more than 21,000 Veterans and military spouses in full- and part-time roles across the United States. Learn more about available programs, training, and resources for Veterans and spouses.

Since 2015, 11 communities in the United States have reached “functional zero” – effectively ending chronic or veteran homelessness and demonstrating that although homelessness is a complex challenge, it is solvable. By reaching this milestone, communities in Built for Zero, a national initiative comprised of more than 70 U.S. communities, have shown that real-time, personal-level data can empower organizations to respond to the homelessness challenge. These communities measurably ended homelessness when they followed these best practices.