AWS collaboration with National Applied AI Consortium expands training across community colleges

AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance and the National Applied AI Consortium are working with community colleges across the United States to scale applied AI programs and workforce pathways.

Amazon Web Services is working with the National Applied AI Consortium to expand applied artificial intelligence training across community colleges in the United States, as institutions look to align technical education with emerging AI workforce demand.

The collaboration connects colleges with industry-aligned curriculum, faculty training, and certification pathways through the AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance. The initiative is designed to help colleges build AI-focused programs that prepare students for entry-level roles in cloud, data, and artificial intelligence.

Kim Majerus, Vice President of Global Education, US State, and Local Government at Amazon Web Services, highlighted the work of the program in a LinkedIn post.

Majerus wrote: “So proud of the work our Amazon Web Services (AWS) Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance is doing with the National Applied AI Consortium (NAAIC)! Empowering faculty and students with cutting-edge AI education and skills leads to transformational change.”

Community colleges build applied AI pathways

The National Applied AI Consortium, founded in 2024 and led by Miami Dade College, focuses on helping community colleges deliver industry-aligned AI education.

The consortium works with colleges, employers, and faculty to develop applied AI programs designed to support workforce development. Its goal is to expand access to AI education for students who may not traditionally enter advanced technology fields.

Antonio Delgado, Vice President of Innovation and Technology Partnerships at Miami Dade College and Founder of the National Applied AI Consortium, says partnerships with industry are critical as colleges respond to rapid changes in AI.

Delgado says: “NAAIC’s reach is nationwide, and the scope of the challenge—workforce development at scale—is something only a partner like AWS Tech Alliance can help us with.”

Faculty training and industry-aligned resources

Through the collaboration, faculty gain access to training, research insights, and teaching resources designed to support applied AI programs.

The initiative includes generative AI learning pathways, faculty training sessions, and events where students engage with AI tools and real-world use cases.

According to the organizations, more than 300 colleges have joined the consortium, with over 1,000 faculty members participating in training programs. These programs have supported AI-related learning opportunities for more than 31,000 students.

Cynthia Pereda, Director of the National Applied AI Consortium, says faculty support is a central part of the initiative: “One of the biggest benefits of the partnership is guiding faculty, giving them the tools to gain the skills and apply those skills in the classroom. It’s really transformative for them.”

Workforce development and AI skills pipeline

The collaboration also connects colleges with employers through applied learning opportunities and certification pathways.

Students participating in the initiative have taken part in activities including prompt engineering challenges, AI application development exercises, and industry-led training events.

Samir Saber, Dean of the Digital and Information Technology Center of Excellence at Houston City College says: “The hands-on experiences provided through AWS Tech Alliance give our students direct exposure to the tools and technologies that employers use.”

He adds: “When students participate in events like the AI Prompt Challenge and AWS PartyRock Experience, they’re not just learning theory—they’re building real skills and opening doors to career opportunities.”

Organizations involved in the program say the long-term goal is to scale applied AI education across community colleges nationwide, with plans to reach one million students through expanded faculty training and industry partnerships.

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