Amazon Courses

Why cloud skills, and why AWS

Almost every organisation now runs part of its business in the cloud, and AWS is the platform most of them use. That makes AWS knowledge one of the safer skills to invest in — it stays relevant whether you head into infrastructure, development, security or support. Cloud and data skills also sit near the top of UK digital skills-shortage reporting year after year, which is part of why a recognised cloud certification carries weight on a CV.

The Cloud Practitioner is where most people start. It proves you understand how the cloud works, how AWS is priced, and how it keeps data secure — without needing to write code or configure servers first. Employers treat it as a quick, credible signal that you can speak the language of the cloud.

Who the Cloud Practitioner is for

You don't need an IT background to start. It suits:

• Career changers moving into tech who want a credible first certification
• IT support, networking or development staff adding cloud to their skill set
• People in sales, finance, procurement or project roles at AWS-using organisations who need to understand the platform and its costs
• Anyone planning to go on to AWS's Associate certifications and wanting a solid grounding first

There are no prerequisites, and no prior cloud experience is assumed.

What you'll learn

The current exam, CLF-C02, is built around four areas:

• Cloud concepts — what the cloud is, the value it offers, and AWS's core design principles
• Security and compliance — the shared responsibility model and how AWS protects data
• Cloud technology and services — the main compute, storage, networking and database services, and when to use them
• Billing, pricing and support — how AWS charges, how to estimate and control costs, and the support options available

You finish able to hold a sensible conversation about AWS and make informed decisions about using it.

How hard is it, and how long does it take?

This is a foundational certification, so it's achievable for beginners with focused study. The exam is 65 questions in 90 minutes, scored from 100 to 1,000 with 700 to pass. Most people are ready after a few weeks of part-time study alongside work. The course is self-paced with 12 months' access, so there's no pressure to rush.

How the exam works

Your course fee covers the training and full exam preparation. The official AWS exam is booked and paid for separately, directly with AWS — you sit it online with a proctor through Pearson VUE, or at a test centre. AWS lists the exam at around US$100, though prices vary by region. Keeping the exam separate means you only pay AWS's fee when you choose to sit, and you can take the time you need to prepare. We help you arrange the booking when you're ready.

Where it leads

Once you hold the Cloud Practitioner, the natural next step is an AWS Associate certification — Solutions Architect, Developer or SysOps Administrator — depending on the direction you want. AWS then offers Professional and Specialty certifications for senior and niche roles. Cloud pairs well with broader IT skills too: many learners combine it with our CompTIA courses, and if you're weighing cloud platforms it's worth comparing our Microsoft Azure courses.

Related courses

If you're building a wider IT skill set, these are worth a look:

• CompTIA courses — vendor-neutral foundations including A+, Network+, Security+ and Cloud+
• Cisco courses — the networking skills cloud platforms run on
• IT Certification Training Bundle — a year of access across cloud, networking and core IT for one price