Amazon chooses Exeter for major new tech project as city’s digital ‘boom’ continues

Digital students at Exeter College are set to work directly with Amazon on a live cloud computing project designed to prepare them for careers in the tech sector.

Exeter College has announced a new collaboration with Amazon that will see 30 T Level students take part in an industry-linked project focused on Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure.

Launching in June 2026, the three-week programme will involve students studying Digital Software Development and Digital Support and Security working on a business case using Amazon Web Services (AWS), the company’s cloud computing arm.

The project will give learners hands-on experience in cloud architecture, cybersecurity and modern software delivery. 

Students will design and implement a live business website using AWS cloud infrastructure, apply secure systems thinking and development practices, and work in agile teams designed to mirror professional industry environments. 

They will also receive mentoring and feedback from Amazon and AWS professionals.

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T Levels are technical qualifications introduced to provide a more vocational route into employment. Students spend 80 per cent of their time in the classroom and 20 per cent on industry placement. 

By the time the Amazon-led project begins, participating learners will already have completed their placements, allowing them to build on real workplace experience.

Morgan Cotter, a current T Level Digital Software Development student at Exeter College, said he was keen to see how a global technology company operates.

“I am most looking forward to seeing how a large business like Amazon operates. The experience will help with my course by giving me valuable work experience, and the T Level is helping my future plans by gaining knowledge and experience at the same time,” he said.

Fellow student Harley Welsh said the project would offer insight into real-world systems and deployment.

“I'm looking forward to collaborating with the Digital Support and Security students and deploying real-world software in collaboration with AWS.”

“This experience will help me understand how real-world software works, how it is deployed, and its integration with the hardware,” he said.

“My future plans are to get involved with system administration, preferably with Linux systems.”

“This course has taught me Python, which can be used to deploy automations and wider programming theory to understand future languages.”

Bradley Chinn, Curriculum Area Manager for Digital at Exeter College, said the partnership reflects the purpose of T Levels in bridging education and employment.

“This partnership represents exactly what T Levels were designed to achieve. By working directly with Amazon and AWS professionals on real infrastructure and real challenges, our students develop the technical confidence, professional behaviours, and industry insight needed to succeed from day one,” he said.

Jo Simovic, Senior Programme Manager of Global Youth Programs at Amazon, added: “Amazon is delighted to be working with Exeter College to support future digital professionals.”

“This project enables students to engage directly with AWS technologies in a meaningful, applied way, building skills that are highly relevant across the tech sector.”

The initiative forms part of Exeter College’s wider efforts to strengthen links with major employers and position Exeter as a growing hub for digital skills in the South West.