Would you like to know more about the cloud and cloud certifications? We recently held a bootcamp where Amber Joseph, Salesforce Trainer, explained the different options that are available and some of the benefits of these certifications.

What are cloud certifications and what is the cloud?

• The cloud refers to software and services that run on the internet, instead of on a local device. For example, we are able to access our social media or e-mails from multiple devices by logging into a server that runs on the cloud, rather than only being able to access it on our local computer.

• Back in the day, you would run and deploy code on your own computer and you could only access it on your own computer. With the development of cloud-based applications and storage, you can now access and share services and content across a range of computers through the internet and not just locally.

• Cloud certifications demonstrate to employers that you have skills in these areas. However, cloud certifications aren’t available in universities and aren’t taught in schools. 

The impact of cloud certifications:

• Increase your starting salary: As cloud skills are in demand, and with low supply of skilled candidates, the starting out salary for complete beginners is $70-80k. This can even go up to $100k. This is for those with zero tech related experience or background. 

• There’s paid travel: As there's a low supply of people with cloud skills and fewer people who are an expert at the cloud, you’re usually requested to travel around the country which is an amazing opportunity. 

• Opportunity: There are lots of job opportunities available for those who have cloud skills, or these can be an attractive feature on your C.V.

A bit about cloud companies: The big 3 

• The major cloud players are AWS, Microsoft and Google. The biggest of these three is AWS (Amazon Web Services) with their main competitor being Microsoft’s Azure. This is because AWS is ahead of everyone else and has the most features and services offered.

• Another major cloud company is Salesforce which looks after customer data and provides customer relationship management software – you’ll find that many companies use Salesforce.

The demand for cloud certifications

• Throughout the bootcamp, Amber elaborated on the demand for cloud certifications and showed some articles which highlighted this. One of the articles specified that the demand for cloud certifications was expected to triple by 2025 and AWS reported NZ’s urgent need for digital skills training and upgrading. Amber explained that a lot of people are learning on the job, and there are very few people who come into the workforce with cloud certifications. If you already have cloud skills before coming into the job, you are likely to be sought after. 

• Amber explained the diverse background of people who come into cloud computing. Some of those who have been through her Salesforce training had come from jobs unrelated to the tech industry and were now successfully working with Salesforce. The one thing they all had in common was that it took only a few months to gain the skills and certifications necessary to rise in the industry. 

Why choose cloud certifications? What about programming? Learning to code?

• Knowing how to code and how to do programming is still a great skill to have and will continue to be relevant and important. 

Benefits of cloud computing from a coder’s perspective:

• Easy to upgrade

• Has a lower cost of ownership

• There are always new things to learn and explore

• Productive everywhere

• No maintenance costs

• Unlimited storage

• Collaborative 

• More secure

• It’ll set you apart

Which cloud platform should you learn?

• For AWS (Amazon) it would take 8-12 months with no developer background, or around 3 months if you do have some background. The starting salary is around $80k. These are best suited for developers, networking, DEV-OPS and AI.

• Azure takes 8-12 months with no development background and is best suited for developers, networking, DEV-OPS and AI as well.

• Google is open sourced. Anecdotally, we hear that the certification is very challenging. It would take 6-8 months to learn and the starting salary is $70k.

• For Salesforce, it would take around 6 months to learn and no background in tech is required. 

• Career growth is huge and there will always be new features or ideas being added and new things to learn about the cloud.

Comparing the three major platforms: Amazon’s AWS, Microsoft’s Azure and Google’s Cloud Platform

• AWS (Amazon) is by far the largest cloud platform and has the most features and products. They do and offer everything. On the downside, it can be overwhelming as so much is offered; where do you even start? In addition, you can’t mix and match, you only use AWS and nothing else.

• Azure is great for those who already use Microsoft applications. On the downside it has fewer offerings than AWS, and is predominately used by companies who are already using Microsoft

• Google is great for those who are familiar with using Google. However, there is limited support for enterprise organisations.

Amber’s final bits of advice:

• You can absolutely do this! As explained, you can start from ground zero and learn everything you need in a couple of months. 

• Think about what sort of job you want, do some research, join groups, get chatting and get amongst it

• Start with foundational certifications.

• Certifications aren’t free and are usually $100USD, however, they are very worth it. If you look up some of the associate and foundational certifications and read what’s in the exam. Use this as a guideline of where to focus your learning. 

• Start early! There are lots of courses (not certifications) that are available for only $10 online.

For those who really want to pursue this field as a job and as a serious career, Salesforce has an amazing summer programme that teaches salesforce. For more information, visit nextwork.org