AdminAmazon Web Services (AWS) has entered into a RM4.3 million Social Impact Agreement with Malaysian digital solutions provider Exabytes to equip hundreds of Malaysians with in-demand cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) skills, targeting primarily B40 and M40 communities. Forward College will serve as the delivery partner for the two-year initiative, which aims to bridge Malaysia’s growing digital talent gap while addressing persistent youth unemployment.
The programme, running from 2026 to 2028, forms part of the Exabytes Centre of Cloud Excellence (CCoE) and comes at a time when Malaysia’s digital economy has emerged as a key pillar of national growth. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), ICT and e-commerce contributed 23.4 per cent of GDP based on the latest official figures. However, industry players continue to flag a shortage of skilled talent in cloud and AI-related roles, even as youth unemployment stood at 10.1 per cent among those aged 15 to 24 as of October 2025.
Building a skills-to-jobs pipeline
Under the agreement, AWS will provide Exabytes with approximately RM4.3 million in funding over two years, with disbursements tied to measurable outcomes such as student completions, AWS certifications achieved and successful job placements. The initiative is designed as an end-to-end skills-to-employment pipeline, incorporating certification, internship and job placement opportunities.
“In partnership with AWS and Forward College, we’re building an end-to-end talent engine, from education to employment,” said Chan Kee Siak, founder and chief executive officer of Exabytes. “Through the Centre of Cloud Excellence, we’re helping customers and communities alike to grow digital, grow talent, and grow innovation. By prioritising B40 youth and enabling career-switchers from M40 communities, we’re helping Malaysians gain financial independence through future-ready digital careers.”
AWS said the programme reflects its long-term commitment to Malaysia’s digital ecosystem and inclusive growth.
“This initiative represents AWS’s deep commitment to nation building in Malaysia,” said Kirsten Gilbertson, Partner Organization Leader for AWS ASEAN. “From students taking their first steps in technology to career-switchers seeking new opportunities, we’re committed to developing AI fluency and cloud expertise at every stage of the talent pipeline.”
Two tracks for diverse learners
The initiative will benefit hundreds of learners through two fully funded training pathways. The first is the Diploma in Applied Software Engineering, also known as the NitroDegree, which will sponsor B40 youth aged 18 to 30 for a two-year programme delivered by Forward College. The curriculum covers full-stack development, networking and security, machine learning, Agile methodologies, UI/UX, Android development and software entrepreneurship, alongside an AWS Cloud Computing Fundamentals module.
Graduates will complete a three-month internship and, subject to meeting academic and interview requirements, receive priority job placement within Exabytes or its partner network. They will also earn an accredited Level 4 Diploma under the Department of Skills Development (JPK), Ministry of Human Resources.
The second track, AWS re/Start, targets unemployed, underemployed or career-switching Malaysians aged 18 and above. The 12-week, instructor-led programme requires no prior IT background and prepares participants for entry- to mid-level cloud roles, with AWS certification, career coaching and job placement support.
Supporting Malaysia’s digital transformation
Exabytes said the CCoE was established to accelerate Malaysia’s digital transformation and support the nation’s ambition to become a regional technology hub. Built around its GROW Digital, GROW Talent and GROW Innovation pillars, the centre brings together businesses, educators and cloud providers to train, innovate and scale.
The launch follows AWS’s US$6.2 billion investment announced in 2024 to develop the AWS Asia Pacific (Malaysia) Region, an initiative expected to create thousands of high-skilled jobs and boost demand for certified cloud professionals nationwide.
Applications for both tracks will open via the Exabytes CCoE website, with recruitment and selection managed by Forward College. Each pathway includes an aptitude test, interview and motivation assessment, with priority given to eligible B40 applicants.
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