New AWS training program at Hinds prepares workers for tech careers

JACKSON, Miss. (VDN) — Hinds Community College is offering a four-week, paid training program to help prepare residents for careers at Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centers coming to Madison County.

AWS is investing $10 billion to build two data center complexes in Madison County industrial parks, a project expected to create at least 1,000 jobs in Mississippi, according to the AWS website.

The I2PA (Information Infrastructure Pre-Apprenticeship) program at Hinds’ Jackson Campus not only trains participants for entry-level data center careers but also pays them for 30 hours of work per week during the four-week course.

“Since data centers are new to our area, people may not understand the opportunities for high-wage, high-demand jobs the data centers bring with them,” said Dr. Ginger Robbins, vice president of workforce development and governmental affairs. “The I2PA training program exposes participants to skills needed to build, connect, power and operate data centers — and provides pathways to further training and employment.”

All supplies — including protective gear and a laptop computer — are provided through the hands-on training program.

Training begins Aug. 18 and ends Sept. 16 with a graduation ceremony at the Jackson Campus, located at 3925 Sunset Drive. Participants can earn several industry-recognized certifications, including AWS I2PA and OSHA 10.

To qualify, applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent; be able to perform basic math functions (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions and percentages); and have basic written and verbal communication skills in English.

For more information, contact Angela Hayes at the WIN Job Center at Angela.Hayes@hindscc.edu.
To apply, visit: https://aws-workforce.pearson.com/i2pa-2025-08-jackson-ms/