AWS’ Training Lead Maureen Lonergan Talks Upskilling
Q. The mass exodus of women from the workforce during Covid had many precipitating factors. Some portion of women who left were dissatisfied with disparities, including a lack of training that would empower their advancement. In one survey, among the women who said they left or intended to leave their jobs, 32% cited a desire for more advancement opportunities. Can you weigh in?
A. It was jarring to see that millions of women exited the workforce during the pandemic. Skills training has the potential to revert that. Upskilling and reskilling is a great equalizer, especially for the tech industry, in which women are still underrepresented. In fact, the number of women in tech roles today is lower than in the 1980s. That’s why we’re lowering barriers to entry with our programs and courses.
Upskilling and reskilling is important not only to the tech industry, but to every industry. A recent study by AWS and Gallup found advanced digital skills drive global economic gains of $6.3 trillion each year. For global organizations across sectors — from healthcare to retail — tech skills are more imperative than ever. There is a growing skills gap, and addressing it should be mission number one to ensure a stable future of work and resiliency.
“Offering upskilling and reskilling opportunities — and clearly promoting them — not only encourages learning and growth, it cements the fact that your organization is investing in and actively supporting a diverse workplace.”
-Maureen Lonergan, vice president, AWS Training and Certification
Q. What mistakes do companies make when building reskilling or upskilling programs?
A. The first is not having a diverse set of perspectives at the table. The second is not having a culture that allows employees to take risks and experiment. If you miss both, you miss opportunities to innovate. When you create a safe space for innovation and empower a culture of learning and experimentation, your employees take risks and know that failing is not only ok, it is expected. Being intentional in providing this type of environment is critical for disruptive innovation. Encourage failing forward so that all employees, in particular underrepresented groups like women, confidently try new things, share their learnings and failures unapologetically — and, at the same time, climb the ladder.
“Encourage failing forward so that all employees, in particular underrepresented groups like women, confidently try new things, share their learnings and failures unapologetically — and, at the same time, climb the ladder.”
-Maureen Lonergan, vice president, AWS Training and Certification
We explore all this and more in our report on Creating Equity for Women in Tech. Download it now.