AWS has a long-standing commitment to help anyone build the most in-demand tech skills for today, and the workforce of tomorrow. In fact, we’ve trained over 31 million people globally with free and low-cost cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) skills, including more than 300,000 Canadians and counting.
In June 2025, we announced a unique collaboration with the Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne in Montréal: the Cloud Solutions Specialist, AWS re/Start program. The free-to-learner 12-month program leads to a College Studies Attestation (AEC), is recognized by Quebec’s Ministry of Higher Education, and aims to help reskill underemployed and underrepresented individuals to launch and advance their careers in AI and cloud computing.
Today, halfway through the program, 11 students received scholarships, acknowledging their commitment and dedication to learning new skills that are essential as Quebec businesses move forward in their cloud and AI transformation.
A new career for Gountanth Benhale
Among scholarship recipients was Gountanth Benhale, originally from West Africa, who trained as an electrical engineer in Togo before coming to Montreal. He had been searching for a certification in technology that would allow him to actively contribute to his adopted country’s digital transformation.
"I've always been fascinated by systems, optimization, and solving complex problems," he explains. This passion led him to the Cloud Solution Specialist program, which he sees as a natural transition toward future-facing technologies.
"As soon as I read the program description, I knew it was what I was looking for," Gountanth says. "The concepts taught and the skills acquired are exactly what employers describe in job postings," he adds.
For Gountanth, the fact that the “world’s leading cloud” is involved in this training adds credibility, while the financial support strengthens his motivation, providing real support for his family while he studies full-time.
Now halfway through his program, Gountanth’s getting closer to his goal of becoming a cloud architect.
Building Quebec's AI and cloud workforce
Nearly two-thirds of Quebec businesses emphasize that access to qualified talent and appropriate training is an essential lever for accelerating the adoption of AI and cloud technologies. AWS is proud to contribute to training specialists like Gountanth to help advance Quebec's productivity, innovation, and competitiveness.
Upon graduation, students will master advanced technical skills including network infrastructure and storage solutions. They will also be competent in leveraging data, and be able to implement processes for security and governance in cloud environments. Program graduates will also be equipped with AI and machine learning (ML) fundamentals, as well as know how to build managed services in AI and ML, and ensure quality assurance and testing techniques. Guided by professional mentors and accredited trainers, students will complete the 12-week AWS re/Start curriculum, which features scenario-based learning, hands-on labs, and comprehensive coursework, and receive an AWS Certified Cloud Practioner Certification.
To help secure job placement, the program also includes resume preparation and interview coaching and culminates in a two-month paid internship, which connects participants with potential employers and facilitates workplace integration.
The program marks another leap forward in our commitment to building Canada’s digital future, as we celebrate a decade of enabling organisations of all sizes to take advantage of the most advanced technology and securely host their data and run their workloads out of our Montreal data centre hub.
Learn more about the Cloud Solutions Specialist, AWS re/Start program at Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne and AWS training and certification, and how to launch or advance your career in cloud computing and AI.
