NEW CARLISLE — Amazon Cluster Operations Leader of Indiana Josh Sallabedra said Amazon calls all its employees “builders.”
“When you come to Amazon, we’re trying to build something together,” Sallabedra said.
These “builders” now include 58 local residents who graduated from Amazon Web Services’ first ever Work-Based Learning Program on May 3. The program, according to Sallabedra, takes individuals, some of whom have no technological background, and trains them in machine learning and data center operations.
The work-based learning program operates out of Amazon’s new Campus Administration Building located on the New Carlisle data center’s campus. The building includes showers, lockers, a café and coffee shop, as well as breakroom spaces and offices.
Vice President of Global Data Centers Operations at AWS Sergio Loureiro said the celebration of the Campus Administration Building was not just about the building’s construction but about opening a new chapter for the community.
“The SBN campus represents Amazon’s long-term commitment to the Midwest,” Loureiro said. “Our work-based learning program … operates on a very simple premise. You don’t need a tech résumé to build a tech career. You need access, and you need opportunity. That is what we’re happy to provide.”
Choosing a new path
Among the first class of work-based learning program graduates are Rosalyne Swanson, 44, and Christian Loomis, 27.
Both graduating students are from the Northern Indiana region but came into the program with completely different skill sets. Loomis was a personal trainer before joining the program, while Swanson just finished an electrical engineering apprenticeship.
Both Swanson and Loomis finished the program in April and have since integrated themselves into the daily data center operations through their new jobs.
“I learned about the program, and it just fit for me,” Loomis said. “I was able to get my foot in the door. I feel like once you do that, it’s about the work you put in, and you can work your way up. But it’s a really good opportunity.”
Wanting to try something new brought Swanson to the program, but the skill she’s learned from it encouraged her to seek out a career at the data center, she said. Being from South Bend made her want to grow and be a part of something contributing to her community.
Despite her previous experience as an apprentice, Swanson said, working for Amazon is what’s really taught her how to be a leader and grow as a professional.
“It has allowed me to take what I learn professionally and give back to the next generation,” Swanson said.
Swanson now works as an auditor and ensures that production meets Amazon’s standards, and Loomis works in break-fix, which he described as parts replacement and running tests to keep the servers up to date.
Collaboration with local partners
Amazon’s work-based learning program recruits directly from local high schools, colleges and community members. The company has created a partnership with Ivy Tech Community College to build a direct pipeline from classroom to career at the data center. The partnership includes:
Lisa Wenzel, vice chancellor of strategic initiative at Ivy Tech, said the community college is proud to support Amazon and accompany it through work force training and career exposure. In 2021, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and Ivy Tech announced a partnership with AWS to train and certify 5,000 individuals in cloud computing skills.
“Seeing this Campus Administration Building come to life is such a great visual from many phone calls,” Wenzel said. “We’re proud to be part of this, and the community thanks you for your investment in Northern Indiana.”
The work-based learning program is part of Amazon’s Future Ready 2030 Initiative, a $2.5 billion investment to prepare 50 million people worldwide for the future of work through training skills.
The company has already opened its first Think Big Space at New Prairie High School in May. The STEM education lab gives approximately 3,000 students access to hands-on technology and resources designed to spark interest in science, technology, engineering and math fields.
Amazon is committing to more than $40 billion of investment in Indiana, $11 billion of which was dedicated to New Carlisle, operations leader Sallabedra said. Through investment in local education and providing work opportunities, Sallabedra said, he believes the Amazon data center isn’t just a structure, it’s a part of the neighborhood.
“It’s a community partner, and it’s a driver of local growth that’s intended to sustain for decades,” Sallabedra said. “What happens inside this campus powers the future.”
Email South Bend Tribune business reporter Jessica Velez at jvelez@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Amazon prepares to power the future with new building, student program
Reporting by Jessica Velez, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jessica Velez, South Bend Tribune | USA TODAY Network
