Michelle Vaz, managing director at AWS Training and Certifications
AWS
Even with an AI skills gap, organizations are still reluctant to hire. What’s happening? Why aren’t companies closing their AI skills gap? “We recently partnered with Draup, a data intelligence firm specializing in workforce planning and talent analytics, to conduct research on how early-career technical roles are evolving due to AI. Our findings revealed an interesting paradox: young adult unemployment is at 6.6% while simultaneously, AI is transforming technical roles and making them more accessible for early-career talent. What we are seeing is opportunity, not the disappearance of roles. Entry-level positions are being reshaped and made more accessible as traditional barriers like requiring extensive coding experience are removed through AI automation. This represents a transformation — companies aren’t just looking to fill skills gaps, they are seeking people who can leverage AI to make a greater impact earlier in their careers.
“This represents a fundamental shift in how we should think about entry-level work, reframing it as an opportunity multiplier — one that democratizes access to technical careers by removing traditional barriers and allowing talent from diverse backgrounds to make meaningful contributions from day one.
“Today’s companies are facing a skills mismatch where employer demands (AI literacy, cloud, ML engineering) are evolving faster than traditional education can adapt, while simultaneously many early career professionals are increasingly entering the workforce generative AI-enabled. Organizations now need people who can step into complex projects from day one — candidates with the right mix of AI and cloud skills who can contribute meaningfully. To address this skills gap, organizations must support practical, hands-on training programs that go beyond theory, giving students real-world AI and cloud experience before they enter the workforce and ultimately bridging the gap between classroom learning and industry needs.”
