The AWS approach to social value in UK Public Sector: Creating lasting impact through technology

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is committed to delivering substantial social value across the United Kingdom (UK) public sector through strategic technology initiatives and partnerships. The AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance—launched in April 2025—exemplifies this commitment, aiming to address critical AI and cloud computing expertise shortages in the public sector. With Strand Partners research indicating that AI literacy will be required for 47 percent of new UK jobs by 2028, and 41 percent of UK organizations currently unable to fill digital skills positions, the alliance has set an ambitious target to train 100,000 people in AI skills by 2030. The program has secured partnerships with prestigious institutions like the University of Exeter and the University of Manchester, while Accenture and Deloitte provide technical requirements guidance for emerging tech careers.

This initiative builds upon Amazon’s significant presence in the UK, where we maintain one of the country’s largest private sector workforces with approximately 75,000 employees across various corporate and technology functions. Our commitment includes a recent £3.5m addition to our apprenticeship fund, bringing total investment to £12m since 2020. Since 2014, we’ve invested over £64bn in UK operations, including a £450 million state-of-the-art fulfillment center in Stockton-on-Tees, which opened in October 2023.

Environmental sustainability is another cornerstone of Amazon’s UK initiatives. As a key member of the UK Government Digital Sustainability Alliance since August 2024, we collaborate with other technology providers to advance digital sustainability and support the government’s Greening Government Commitments, Net Zero Strategy, and UN Sustainable Development Goals. Our commitment is demonstrated through 36 renewable energy projects across the UK, including a new 47 megawatt (MW) solar farm in Essex, contributing significantly to Britain’s clean energy ambitions. By scaling carbon-free energy, we aim to enhance Amazon’s resilience and sustainability, drive a global transition to cleaner energy, and fulfill our commitment to The Climate Pledge of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

These environmental commitments, encompassing our renewable energy projects and engagement with the UK Government Digital Sustainability Alliance, exemplify how meaningful environmental and social impact emerges through strategic collaboration. The UK’s leadership in social value serves as a global benchmark for impact-driven initiatives. We observe increasing adoption of social value principles in procurement across policy makers, public sector entities, and private enterprises as they work toward a more sustainable future. AWS maintains unwavering dedication to generating social, economic, and environmental value through our operations. We aim to revolutionize public services, eliminate barriers to opportunity, catalyze UK-wide economic development, and foster environmental sustainability. Our organization has dedicated substantial resources to social value programs that exceed conventional business practices, offering concrete, quantifiable solutions aligned with the UK Social Value Model.

AWS focuses on these key pillars to create lasting social impact:

• Democratizing access to digital skills: Amazon, including AWS, promotes digital literacy across all demographics—from primary education through adult learning, including career transitions and unemployment support. AWS re/Start exemplifies this through its comprehensive workforce development program, providing free cloud computing training culminating in the AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification, an industry-recognized credential. The program includes career development support through resume guidance, LinkedIn optimization, interview preparation, and employer networking opportunities. Our commitment also extends to 40+ apprenticeship programs, having integrated over 3,000 apprentices in recent years.
• Powering sustainable innovation: Amazon achieved 100 percent renewable energy matching across all its operations in 2023, including both its retail operations and AWS data centers. Beyond decarbonization efforts, Amazon partners with VCSEs, charities, and non-profits to expand environmental impact. Through Amazon’s collaboration with London Wildlife Trust, the company supports extensive riverbank habitat restoration that enhances biodiversity, mitigates flood risks, and improves green space connectivity. AWS’s Environmental Sustainability Technical Field Community conducts dedicated sustainability workshops to help customers optimize their cloud workload efficiency and reduce carbon footprints. Additionally, AWS has formed a partnership with the Natural History Museum to accelerate scientific research by consolidating UK biodiversity and environmental data, which advances integrated research and urban nature recovery initiatives.
• Catalyzing economic growth: AWS enables digital transformation for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Through the Amazon Innovation Accelerator, we provided training to over 150 small businesses in 2024, sharing Amazon’s scaling strategies and innovation practices. We’re also committed to creating more than 750 apprenticeships across 250 SMBs throughout England by the end of 2025.
• Fostering wellbeing: AWS strives to put people first and prioritize safety, health, and mental wellbeing. Our UK Mental Health and Wellbeing employee-led group delivers various support programs, including mindfulness sessions, stress management workshops, and interactive wellness activities like journaling workshops.

AWS’s approach to social value in the UK public sector represents a comprehensive and far-reaching commitment to creating lasting impact through technology. Our multifaceted strategy encompasses skills development, economic investment, environmental sustainability, and community wellbeing. The AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance is at the forefront of this effort, addressing critical skills gaps in AI and cloud computing, while our substantial investments in infrastructure and renewable energy projects demonstrate our long-term dedication to the UK’s digital and sustainable future.

As AI and Digital Government Minister Feryal Clark emphasizes: “We need to make sure that students and young people in every community have the skills they need to explore successful, long-lasting careers in tech—putting them in the driving seat of the UK’s digital revolution.” By focusing on key pillars such as democratizing access to digital skills, powering sustainable innovation, catalyzing economic growth, and fostering wellbeing, we are not only contributing to the UK’s technological advancement, but also supporting broader societal goals. Our partnerships with educational institutions, government bodies, and local organizations underscore our belief in collaborative approaches to tackling complex challenges. As we move forward, AWS remains committed to aligning our initiatives with the UK Social Value Model, ensuring that our efforts create tangible benefits for communities across the country. By leveraging our technology, expertise, and resources, we aim to empower individuals, businesses, and public sector organizations to innovate, grow, and thrive in an increasingly digital world.

Ready to explore how AWS can support your organization’s digital transformation and social value initiatives? Connect with the AWS Public Sector team today.