Amazon Web Services (AWS) is expanding its Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance to Tennessee, which becomes the sixth state in the alliance. Through a strategic collaboration with the Nashville Innovation Alliance, this partnership aims to address middle Tennessee’s 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.
“AWS Skills to Jobs is designed to create accessible pathways to cloud and AI-enabled careers, and Nashville’s dynamic technology community makes it an ideal location for expansion,” said Valerie Singer, general manager of Global Education at AWS. “By collaborating with the Nashville Innovation Alliance, we’re leveraging their deep community connections to build a sustainable pipeline of tech talent.”
“By 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,” said Mayor Freddie O’Connell. “There are many partners who made this possible, but I want to thank the Nashville Innovation Alliance in particular for leading the effort to connect these stakeholders. The future is bright for Nashville, and innovative programs like this will allow us to reach our full potential.”
The Nashville Innovation Alliance has brought together key stakeholders including:
- Vanderbilt University
- Nashville State Community College
- Belmont University
- Tennessee State University
- Fisk University
- Office of Mayor Freddie O’Connell
- Major employers including AllianceBernstein, Barge Design Solutions, Brooksource, Dell Technologies, Schneider Electric, Vanderbilt University and the Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County
- Greater Nashville Technology Council
- Nashville 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.
“The Nashville Innovation Alliance was launched to bring partners together to solve real challenges,” said Sally Parker, interim executive director of the Nashville Innovation Alliance. “This initiative with AWS is a powerful example, and model for future efforts, of how industry, community, and education can align to grow Nashville’s tech talent pipeline and ensure our region remains a hub for inclusive, future-ready opportunity.”
The program comes at a critical time for middle Tennessee’s technology sector. With Nashville’s 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.
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’s broader workforce development objectives and supports Nashville’s growing reputation as a technology center in the southeastern US.
AWS launched the Tech Alliance 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 US, Spain, Singapore, Italy, Germany, India, Colombia, Brazil, Malaysia, France, United Kingdom and Thailand. Tennessee becomes the sixth US state engaged as a focus region, joining New York, Illinois, Washington, West Virginia and Texas. 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 homepage.
