In Turkey, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has been investing in developing cloud skills while ensuring that the tech talent is diverse and inclusive through initiatives that help bring more women into technology. According to Deloitte’s “Women in Technology Sector – Turkey” report, updated last September, 75% of women working in tech in Turkey believe that the most effective way to attract more women to tech jobs is by having more female role models in the sector and increasing their visibility. The report also quotes respondents saying that development and training programs are key to creating more opportunities for women to grow in the tech sector.
Last month, 69 women from varying professional backgrounds attended a complimentary AWS Tech Essentials Day dedicated to cloud technology learning for women in Turkey. Offered as part of the AWS We Power Tech global program, the one day course covered the fundamentals of AWS cloud technology, including key AWS services and how to navigate them. The training was delivered in collaboration with Yonetim Academy, an authorized AWS Training Partner in Turkey.
For some attendees, the training was an introduction to cloud computing and provided the first step in their cloud skills journey, including official AWS certification. Sinem Çeliker, Senior Business Solutions Manager of Penti, one of Europe’s largest legwear, intimates and beachwear manufacturers and retailers, said: “The course was both efficient and effective. Now I have a much better understanding of the abilities a company can gain via using cloud technology. There are very powerful tools that can allow almost every kind of company to operate faster with lower costs. I am eager to see the deeper parts of cloud technology and to proceed in getting an AWS certification.”
For others, it was a critical step in growing their technology knowledge. Derya Günsel, IT PH Business Partner at Bayer Turkey, said: “It has been really useful for me to see the horizon – the future with cloud computing. I believe that we will be faced with many new disruptive services and products in the near future and all of these will be powered by cloud technologies. It is very valuable for a technology professional to understand the background of these innovations. The effects of cloud technologies on the end-user experience are much clearer to me now.”
We Power Tech serves as a platform to foster a diverse and inclusive culture in the technology industry around the world. In March, AWS also held a We Power Tech event in Istanbul that brought together female leaders to discuss ways to increase women’s representation in technology and how to further encourage entrepreneurship amongst women in Turkey.
