Source: Vermont Business Magazine / vermontbiz.com
CCV Partners with AWS Academy to Expand Cloud Education
The Community College of Vermont (CCV) has joined Amazon Web Services (AWS) Academy, a program that equips higher education institutions with cloud computing curriculum and resources. The partnership allows CCV to offer students a structured path toward industry-recognized cloud certifications and in-demand IT careers.
What AWS Academy Provides
AWS Academy supplies member institutions with curriculum developed and maintained by AWS subject matter experts. This ensures the course content reflects current AWS services, tools, and best practices. Courses are delivered by AWS Academy-accredited educators who receive specific training to help students become proficient with AWS technology.
The program is designed to bridge the gap between classroom instruction and real-world cloud skills, giving students a competitive edge when entering the job market or pursuing AWS certifications.
The Course: Fundamentals of Cloud Computing
CCV incorporated AWS Academy content into a new course titled “Special Topics: Fundamentals of Cloud Computing.” The course was offered online in fall 2020, with classes beginning September 15, 2020.
Key details about the course include:
- Target audience: Beginners exploring IT careers, remote work opportunities, or anyone looking to develop foundational cloud skills applicable across industries.
- Certification goal: Prepares students to sit the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam, one of AWS’s entry-level certifications.
- Degree integration: Credits can be applied toward CCV’s IT or STEM Studies degree programs.
- Delivery: Fully online, consistent with CCV’s broader distance learning infrastructure.
Why This Matters for Students and Employers
Cloud computing skills consistently rank among the most sought-after competencies in the IT job market. The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner credential is a vendor-recognized certification that validates foundational knowledge of the AWS platform, cloud concepts, security, pricing, and support models. Earning it can open doors for career changers and IT professionals looking to formalize their cloud knowledge.
Nicole Stetson, Associate Academic Dean for CCV, commented on the partnership:
“CCV is pleased to offer new coursework and training in cloud computing. The fall course is designed for beginners exploring careers in IT and remote work opportunities as well as those looking to build cloud knowledge and skills that can be applied to any business. Participants can earn an industry-recognized AWS Certification and use the course in CCV’s IT or STEM Studies degree programs.”
Nicole Stetson, Associate Academic Dean, Community College of Vermont
About the Community College of Vermont
CCV is Vermont’s second-largest college, serving more than 10,000 students annually. The institution operates 12 locations across the state and offers extensive online learning options, making higher education accessible to students throughout Vermont without requiring long commutes. CCV provides degree and certificate programs, workforce training, continuing education, and academic and veterans support services.
Getting Started with AWS Certifications
For DevOps practitioners and IT professionals interested in formalizing their AWS knowledge, the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam is a broadly recognized starting point. It covers:
- Core AWS services (compute, storage, networking, databases)
- Cloud concepts and the AWS shared responsibility model
- AWS billing, pricing models, and support plans
- Basic cloud security and compliance concepts
From there, practitioners can pursue associate-level certifications such as AWS Solutions Architect, Developer, or SysOps Administrator, depending on their career focus.
Institutions interested in joining AWS Academy can find more information on the AWS Academy program page.