A THURROCK apprentice has helped Amazon announce that it is creating more than 1,000 new apprenticeships in the UK in 2025. The Amazon apprenticeship programme, recognised as one of the UK’s top apprenticeship schemes by the Government’s Department for Education[1], will offer a wide range of opportunities across the country in Amazon businesses including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Prime Video, and Amazon Devices and Services.
Jerry Fasola from Ockendon has taken part in the programme and is sharing his story to encourage others to consider an apprenticeship.
Jerry is an associate solutions architect with Amazon Web Services (AWS). He works from the Amazon corporate office in Holborn and lives in Ockendon in Thurrock.
As an associate solutions architect, Jerry works with AWS Partners to support public sector organisations with the creation of innovative solutions to achieve successful outcomes, helping them unlock the full potential of cloud computing.
Jerry recently completed a Digital and Technology Solutions apprenticeship with Amazon through the University of Roehampton and QA Apprenticeships. During his four-year apprenticeship, Jerry’s apprenticeship pathway was IT consultancy.
Jerry’s journey to AWS wasn’t traditional. Talking about the journey, Jerry said: “I studied science and maths at school, which I enjoyed but didn’t do very well at. After an A Level in maths and a BTech in business, I went to uni feeling lost about what I wanted to do.
“I struggled for a time studying Information Systems and Business at University College London and I didn’t have the best experience, so I eventually packed it in and decided to get a job. From there, I worked several different jobs in industries including security, retail and labour. The last of those was maintaining network cables for Virgin Media, which it saw me through until I was made redundant during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“When that happened, I started looking for opportunities to retrain,” Jerry continued. “I came across the AWS re/Start programme, a workforce development training program that teaches people about careers in the cloud and connects them to potential employers.
“After completing the 12-week AWS re/Start programme, I came across the AWS apprenticeship programme and I thought it would be a good way to get back into learning whilst working at the same time. After the apprenticeship, I was fortunate enough to be offered a permanent role at Amazon.”
“The best thing about working at Amazon is the people,” Jerry shared. “Amazon’s environment has slowly become transformative for me. The exposure to kind, brilliant colleagues with diverse experiences and knowledge about the world, finance, politics and life in general has broadened my horizons immensely.
“Working with them has made me – and is still making me – a better person and has increased the desire to keep bettering myself. I constantly see that almost anything is possible for me if I want it.”
Speaking on the benefits of doing an apprenticeship, Jerry said, “Doing an apprenticeship with Amazon has made me a better communicator. It improved my ability to share my ideas more effectively, and I obviously now have skills that I can extend to helping my community. Amazon has made that knowledge sharing possible for me.”
What would Jerry say to someone thinking about applying for an apprenticeship at Amazon?
“It’s better to try and be wrong, or be made fun of, than never try at all. You can recover from mistakes and build resilience. And – what if it doesn’t go wrong? Then you’ve won.
“Put yourself out there; especially if you don’t know what you want to do with your life. I can’t think of any university degree that outweighs the advantages of an apprenticeship. The experience you get transfers to the rest of your life, so just do it.”
“Apprenticeships have been a big focus for Amazon for over a decade, and we’re excited to continue creating opportunities for people to start and grow their careers through the announcement of 1,000 new UK apprenticeships in 2025,” added John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager at Amazon. “The Amazon Apprenticeship programme is perfect for people of all ages who are either taking their first step on the career ladder, or for those who want to pursue a new path. This is one of the many ways we continue to create opportunities for people inside and outside Amazon to learn new skills and gain new qualifications.”
Recruitment is now underway across more than 40 different programmes, including data science and cyber security, HR, marketing, engineering, health and safety, and warehouse operations. The majority of courses now also include generative AI training, and this year, Amazon is also launching new programmes including creative industries production, data centre operations, and facilities operations.
Since the launch of the Amazon Apprenticeship programme in 2013, Amazon has offered 7,000 apprenticeships in the UK. There are currently around 2,000 apprentices in the programme, making it one of the largest and broadest apprenticeship schemes in the UK. Since 2021, Amazon has committed £11 million supporting 650 small and medium-sized businesses, third sector organisations, and public sector bodies including the NHS with more than 1,000 apprenticeships. This is through the apprenticeship levy transfer scheme, across a wide range of schemes including adult care, data, dental nurses and broadcast production assistants.
Young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can also take advantage of the Amazon Supported Internship programme. Launched in 2021, the initiative combines classroom learning with practical work experience; helping interns develop essential skills in English, Maths, and CV writing, while gaining hands-on experience across three operational job functions.
Pay at Amazon starts from £13.50 or £14.50 per hour depending on location, equating to between £28,000 and £30,000 annually. Additionally, from day one, all employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package including private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, and an employee discount. Together, these benefits are worth more than £700 annually, and employees can take advantage of a company pension plan.
Applications are now open for Amazon’s apprenticeship programme. For more information, visit: www.amazonapprenticeships.co.uk
