Best Official AWS Learning Programs — What They Are & How to Get Started

#aws #devops #cloudcomputing #beginners

If you’re new to AWS, one of the first questions you’ll probably ask is:

“Where should I start learning?”

It’s a good question — because AWS is huge. There are hundreds of services, dozens of certifications, and countless tutorials everywhere. But the good news is that AWS itself provides several official learning programmes, trusted worldwide and kept up to date as technologies evolve.

Whether you’re new to cloud computing, switching careers, or just curious about AWS — there are several official AWS programmes that help you learn, practice, and build real cloud skills. In this blog post, I cover three major AWS learning programmes: what they are, what they offer, and how you can register today.

Before we begin, here’s a quick note.

Before You Start: A Quick Note for Absolute Beginners

Before we dive into these learning programmes, here’s something important.
Some people who land on this article might still be completely new to AWS and might not fully understand what AWS actually is. If that’s you — don’t worry.

I’ve already written a separate blog where I explain what AWS is in super simple, beginner-friendly language, with zero prerequisites.
It gives you the big-picture idea of AWS in plain English, so you’ll understand these programmes much better afterward.

Why these programmes matter

They’re officially run or supported by AWS — meaning the content stays up-to-date as AWS adds new services and evolves.
They work for different kinds of learners: students, beginners, career changers, and even experienced developers.
They often offer free or low-cost training, hands-on labs, and sometimes even career support.
They can help you build real cloud skills without needing to manage servers, billing, or infrastructure yourself.

The three Official AWS Learning Programmes

Here are the three programmes we’ll cover:

AWS Educate
AWS Skill Builder
AWS Community Builders

There might be other learning programmes conducted by AWS, but I think these three are the most important and easiest to start with, especially for beginners. If you know of any other AWS learning programmes not listed here that you consider important, please comment on this blog post — it might help other readers too.

1. AWS Educate

What is it:
AWS Educate is a free, self-paced learning programme from AWS targeted mainly at students and beginners. You don’t need prior cloud experience.
The content starts from a very basic level, so even if you have zero technical background, it’s beginner-friendly.

What you get:

Hundreds of hours of training content — from cloud basics to more advanced topics.
Hands-on labs in the AWS console — which let you try real cloud services without needing to set up your own servers.
Digital badges: you earn badges when you complete courses/labs, which you can use to show your progress.
Access to the AWS Educate Job Board — where you can explore cloud-related internships or job opportunities.

How to register:

Go to the AWS Educate website: https://awseducate.com
Create an account (no cost; you don’t need a credit card).
Browse the learning catalog — pick courses or labs that fit your level and goals.

Why it’s great:
AWS Educate is ideal if you’re brand new to cloud. It removes major barriers: no cost, no need for prior hardware, and no complicated setup.

2. AWS Skill Builder

What it is:
Skill Builder is AWS’s main online training platform, used by millions worldwide.
It contains courses for all levels — beginner, intermediate, and advanced — and is updated regularly by AWS trainers.

What you get:

600+ digital courses covering many AWS topics.
Hands-on labs — “Builder Labs” — where you can practice real tasks in a safe sandbox environment.
Learning plans mapped to job roles or use cases.
Exam prep courses and resources (if you want to aim for AWS Certification).

How to register / start:

Visit https://skillbuilder.aws
Use your Amazon / AWS account to log in.
Start with free courses or labs. If you want more or need advanced labs/exam prep, consider the paid subscription (currently starting at USD 29/month for individuals)

Why it’s useful:
Skill Builder works for everyone — from beginners to experienced professionals. Even if you already know some cloud basics, you can use it to sharpen skills, learn new AWS services, or prepare for certifications.

3. AWS Community Builders

What is it:
AWS Community Builders is a programme that supports and recognizes individuals who actively contribute to the AWS ecosystem — whether through content creation, community building, open-source, or knowledge sharing.

This is a community-focused programme designed for people who want to grow, share knowledge, and connect with other AWS learners and professionals.
It’s not a course platform — it’s a community and mentorship programme.

What the programme offers:

Access to AWS product teams and early previews of new features or services.
Networking and community — connect with experienced AWS developers, enthusiasts, and contributors worldwide.
Sometimes AWS credits, resources, and perks to support your projects.
Recognition and visibility — useful if you write blog posts, build tools or tutorials, contribute to open-source, or run user-groups.

How to apply:

Visit the AWS Community Builders page: https://community.aws/content/2rHko8MIK7DPQPxZgAqC2rDAaQh/what-is-the-aws-community-builders-program-and-how-to-apply
Fill out the application: show what you’ve done so far (articles, open-source, meetups, etc.), pick your areas of interest, and tell them how you plan to contribute.
Wait for response — acceptance is selective.

Why it’s good:
If you enjoy teaching, building, contributing, or just sharing knowledge — this programme helps you grow a community around AWS, gain support, and contribute back.

Which Programme Should You Start With?

Here’s a simple recommendation for beginners:

If you’re completely new → AWS Educate
If you want structured courses → AWS Skill Builder
If you like community support → Community Builders

Final Words

AWS provides a lot of learning opportunities, but choosing where to start can feel overwhelming. These three programmes are the best places for beginners to begin their journey safely, confidently, and with the right guidance.

If you know any other AWS learning programme that should be mentioned here, feel free to comment so others can benefit from it.

And again, if you don’t fully understand what AWS is yet, make sure to check out my simple AWS explanation article before diving into these programmes.