Holmes to host state's first AWS Pre-Apprenticeship Program

Holmes Community College is set to launch Mississippi’s first Amazon Web Services (AWS) Information Infrastructure Pre-Apprenticeship (I2PA) program, designed to equip participants with in-demand skills for careers in information infrastructure. The four-week program will run from November 4 through December 6, with classes meeting from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily, excluding the week of Thanksgiving.

The AWS I2PA program offers thirty hours of hands-on training each week, focusing on equipping participants with the skills needed to build, connect, power, and operate the infrastructure that drives the global information economy. Training is conducted using the tools and materials found in the field, providing practical, job-ready experience in AWS cloud technology, networking, and security. Everything students need is included: protective gear, supplies, and a laptop computer.

Participants will explore key elements of mission-critical building projects, including fiber optics, electrical and mechanical systems, computer servers, and the software used in the design and construction of these facilities and systems. They will gain insights into high-demand careers and perform work functions typically found in real-world job settings.

Each week also incorporates practice with essential durable skills applicable to any career, including problem-solving, time management, teamwork, persistence, and effective collaboration. Additionally, participants will earn industry-required certificates - including AWS I2PA and OSHA 10 - while being paid a competitive hourly wage of $20 an hour. After the pre-apprenticeship, those in the program will have the opportunity to network with subject matter experts from AWS, as well as other vendors and contractors.

“Holmes Community College is thrilled to bring this groundbreaking opportunity to our students and community,” said Holmes Vice President of Workforce Development Dr. Mike Blankenship. “As the first institution in the state to offer this program, we are opening doors to high-demand careers in information infrastructure, which are crucial to the future of our workforce.”

The program is part of AWS’s broader commitment to creating a more diverse and inclusive tech workforce by providing accessible pathways into high-growth careers. It aligns with Holmes’ mission to provide relevant, high-quality educational opportunities that empower individuals to succeed in a global society.