Amazon Web Services (AWS), Exabytes and Forward College celebrated the graduation of the first 108 learners under the AWS training programme delivered through the Exabytes Centre of Cloud Excellence (CCoE), marking a significant milestone in their joint effort to develop Malaysia’s digital workforce and equip more Malaysians with in-demand cloud and technology roles.
Held at Amazon Web Services (AWS-KUL15) Malaysia, the graduation ceremony recognised the inaugural cohort of the RM4.3 million, two-year cloud and AI upskilling initiative launched earlier this year by AWS and Exabytes in collaboration with Forward College. Targeted at unemployed, underemployed and career-transitioning Malaysians, the programme combines cloud training, industry-recognised certification pathways and career readiness support. Participants also benefit from employment opportunities through hiring partners including Exabytes, Hiredly, altSHIFT, PAIX and Consurv Technic.
More than 15% of the first cohort had already secured interviews or employment opportunities before graduation, with the hiring partners also present at the graduation ceremony to connect with graduates and explore recruitment opportunities. One graduate who previously worked as an IT Executive has secured a Network Engineer role through the programme, demonstrating how industry-recognised cloud skills can help participants advance into more specialised, in-demand technology careers.
The milestone comes at a time of accelerating digital demand in Malaysia. By the end of Q3 2025, the country had recorded RM54.13 billion in approved Malaysia Digital investments, expected to create 21,815 high-value jobs, while digital exports reached RM6.8 billion across 2024 and the first half of 2025. As demand for cloud, AI and digital infrastructure talent continues to grow, the graduation offers a timely example of how industry-led training can translate directly into employability outcomes.
For AWS, the programme reflects a longer-term commitment to building local talent capacity through structured workforce pathways. Kirsten Gilbertson, Partner Organisation Leader, AWS ASEAN, said,“A 2025 AWS survey of 1,000 businesses on their AI ambitions revealed that only 29% feel prepared with their current skillset. In fact, businesses say they would be willing to increase a salary offer by over 30% to a candidate with strong AI skills. Malaysia’s digital growth will depend on whether more people can move into cloud and AI-related roles with confidence and employer-ready skills. Through our collaboration with Exabytes and Forward College, we are helping more Malaysians move from potential to employability in a fast-growing digital economy.”
The programme sits within Exabytes’ broader Centre of Cloud Excellence (CCoE), which was established to accelerate digital transformation, talent development and innovation through a collaborative platform linking businesses, educators and cloud providers. The CCoE reflects a longer-term effort to create more practical, employer-facing pathways into the technology workforce.
Chan Kee Siak, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Exabytes, said, “This first graduation matters because it shows that talent development can deliver measurable outcomes when industry, education and technology partners work together with a clear employment objective. For us, success is not just about training completion, it is about opening real pathways into the digital economy for Malaysians who are ready to build new careers.”
The AWS–Exabytes initiative also includes the fully sponsored NitroDegree in Applied Software Engineering, with both tracks aimed at bridging Malaysia’s digital talent gap through structured learning, certification pathways and employment support.
As Malaysia advances its ambitions under MyDIGITAL and Malaysia Digital, initiatives like this highlight how industry, education and technology partners can work together to deliver measurable workforce outcomes. The first graduation cohort stands as an early but important milestone, demonstrating how targeted, inclusive talent development can help build a stronger, more future-ready digital workforce for the country.