Amazon Web Services Launches Apprenticeship Program for Data Center Careers in France and Strengthens Support for "Digital Plumbers" School to Boost Professional Integration in Digital Infrastructure
Key Points
Amazon Web Services has launched a 12-month apprenticeship program in September, offering two specialized tracks in data center infrastructure management.
AWS supports "Les Plombiers du Numérique," a professional integration program for 18–25-year-olds and RSA beneficiaries in the digital sector.
AWS is committed to training 600,000 people for digital careers in France by 2030, enhancing skills in AI and digital infrastructure.
Without robust infrastructure, there is no artificial intelligence — this technological reality places data centers and their technicians at the heart of France’s digital transformation. AWS is intensifying its investments in data center training in France. These programs aim to prepare the next generation of experts responsible for operating the digital infrastructures that support our daily lives — from online shopping and streaming to banking services — and enable businesses of all sizes to innovate.
Discover AWS’s New Apprenticeship Program for Data Center Careers
AWS has launched a dedicated apprenticeship program for data center professions to strengthen training opportunities in these future-proof careers and directly address the growing sectoral demand for qualified experts capable of ensuring the optimal operation of cloud infrastructures essential to the digital economy.
This 12-month apprenticeship program is structured around two complementary tracks tailored to specific industry needs: one for Data Center Operations (DCO) positions and the other for Data Center Engineering Operations (DCEO).
Apprentices will benefit from intensive training combining theory and practice, with approximately 70% of their time dedicated to on-the-job learning and 30% to academic studies.
Data Center Operations (DCO) Track
Participants in the DCO track will prepare for a Bachelor’s degree in Systems, Networks, and Cybersecurity — a recognized qualification that will enable them to master the management of complex IT infrastructures and essential security protocols for proper data center operation.
Data Center Engineering Operations (DCEO) Track
Apprentices in the DCEO track will earn a Professional License as an Electrical Installation Project Manager, preparing them to manage the critical electrical infrastructures that power these vital digital hubs.
The "Digital Plumbers" School: A Professional Integration Initiative
In partnership with Impala Avenir, AWS supports the "Les Plombiers du Numérique" initiative, an innovative program aimed at creating sustainable professional integration pathways in the rapidly expanding digital sector.
Launched by Impala Avenir Développement with financial support from AWS — which also provides skills-based mentoring, internships, and hiring opportunities — this project offers a short, fully funded and compensated training program in data center and IoT careers.
The program provides participants with a comprehensive integration pathway and directly connects them with companies in the sector, offering employment opportunities for youth distant from the job market across France, in response to growing demand for technical skills in digital infrastructure.
A Network Technician Next to a Server Rack with Colorful Cables
“During my training with Les Plombiers du Numérique, I completed an internship at AWS and was hired in 2021. This profession allows me to continuously develop my skills, which constantly evolve with the rise of new technologies. Even if our work often remains invisible to the general public, it is essential for enabling everyone to stream movies, make contactless payments, or use teleconsultation services in their daily lives.” — Abdullah, Data Center Technician at AWS in Île-de-France.
The Importance of Digital Skills for the French Economy
Accelerated by the rise of generative AI, digital transformation is creating unprecedented demand for skills to operate high-performance and resilient digital infrastructures within the national territory. By 2030, over 20,000 jobs are expected to be created in France, including 2,500 network and facilities technicians. Already, 58% of data center operators report difficulty recruiting qualified candidates.
Data center technicians ensure the availability and performance of infrastructures. Their skills span multiple domains: electricity, networking, cooling, cybersecurity, and maintenance. These expertise areas are also sought after in other sectors such as industry, healthcare, smart buildings, and energy.
The rapid evolution of AI requires continuous skill adaptation — from server management to energy efficiency. These technical expertise represent a major asset for France’s digital autonomy.
In this context, Amazon Web Services is strengthening its initiatives to develop these skills in France and has announced a plan to train 600,000 people for digital careers by 2030, alongside a €6 billion investment in French infrastructure.
SOURCE AMAZON
