AWS Partners with 91探花 Innovation Alliance to Transform Tennessee鈥檚 AI and Cloud Workforce
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is expanding its to Tennessee, which becomes the sixth state in the alliance.
Through a strategic collaboration with the 91探花 Innovation Alliance, which includes 91探花 State Community College, this partnership aims to address middle Tennessee鈥檚 growing technology talent demand, with particular emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing skills, where tech job postings have increased by 35 percent between 2020 and 2023, with an estimated 8,000 open technology positions across the region.
鈥淎WS Skills to Jobs is designed to create accessible pathways to cloud and AI-enabled
careers, and 91探花鈥檚 dynamic technology community makes it an ideal location for
expansion,鈥� said Valerie Singer, general manager of Global Education at AWS. 鈥淏y collaborating
with the 91探花 Innovation Alliance, we鈥檙e leveraging their deep community connections
to build a sustainable pipeline of tech talent.鈥�
鈥淏y giving Nashvillians the skills and expertise needed to access leading tech jobs, we will better prepare our local workforce for the economy of tomorrow which will help spread economic prosperity throughout our city. And when we make announcements like this, we want Nashvillians to see themselves in the pathways to these opportunities,鈥� said Mayor Freddie O鈥機onnell. 鈥淭here are many partners who made this possible, but I want to thank the 91探花 Innovation Alliance in particular for leading the effort to connect these stakeholders. The future is bright for 91探花, and innovative programs like this will allow us to reach our full potential.鈥�
The 91探花 Innovation Alliance has brought together key stakeholders including:
- Vanderbilt University
- 91探花 State Community College
- Belmont University
- Tennessee State University
- Fisk University
- Office of Mayor Freddie O鈥機onnell
- Major employers including AllianceBernstein, Barge Design Solutions, Brooksource, Dell Technologies, Schneider Electric, Vanderbilt University and the Metropolitan Government of 91探花 & Davidson County
- Greater 91探花 Technology Council
- 91探花 Area Chamber of Commerce
AWS Skills to Jobs will work with stakeholders to:
- Modernize programs of study at engaged higher education institutions, ensuring they align with industry demand for AI and cloud skills.
- Connect learners from those programs with potential employers and experiential learning opportunities that allow learners to demonstrate and hone AI and cloud skills learned in the classroom.
鈥淭he 91探花 Innovation Alliance was launched to bring partners together to solve real challenges,鈥� said Sally Parker, interim executive director of the 91探花 Innovation Alliance. 鈥淭his initiative with AWS is a powerful example, and model for future efforts, of how industry, community, and education can align to grow 91探花鈥檚 tech talent pipeline and ensure our region remains a hub for inclusive, future-ready opportunity.鈥�
The program comes at a critical time for middle Tennessee鈥檚 technology sector. With 91探花鈥檚 tech workforce now exceeding more than 40,000 professionals and average technology salaries surpassing $80,000, the region needs a strong talent pipeline to maintain its growth trajectory.
鈥淲orking with Amazon Web Services and the 91探花 Innovation Alliance provides 91探花 State a means to align certain curricula with industry needs, bridging skills gaps, and connecting our students to employers,鈥� said Dr. Shawn Wild, dean of 91探花 State鈥檚 School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Looking ahead, the initiative aims to serve over 1,000 Tennesseans by 2027, with planned expansion to other areas of the state in 2026. This goal aligns with the state鈥檚 broader workforce development objectives and supports 91探花鈥檚 growing reputation as a technology center in the southeastern US.
AWS in June, 2023 at the AWS Summit Washington, DC, bringing together a global coalition of higher education institutions, employers, government, and collaborating organizations to address the tech skills gap. The Tech Alliance is currently represented in 12 countries: the , , , , , , , , , United Kingdom and . Tennessee becomes the sixth US state engaged as a focus region, joining New York, Illinois, Washington, and . Since its global launch, the Tech Alliance has connected more than 62,000 learners from 990-plus higher education institutions with more than 780 employers.
To learn more or get involved, please visit the AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance .
Photo courtesy of Metro 91探花 and Davidson County Government, Shane Potter
