General Description
This page provides an overview of the Skills53 Cloud Computing competition, part of the ICT Regional Championships. It explains how the competition works, what participants need to know to prepare, and how to get involved. Whether you’re an apprentice or a vocational teacher, this guide will help you understand everything about Skills53.
Introduction
The Skills53 Cloud Computing competition is part of the ICT Regional Championships, exclusively for apprentices in IT-related fields. It’s a thrilling opportunity to dive into cloud computing, solve real-world challenges, and compete for recognition on a regional stage.
You’ll take on tasks that reflect professional scenarios, pushing your creativity and problem-solving skills. Whether aiming for the top spot or simply exploring AWS, the competition offers instant feedback and a supportive environment to grow your expertise.
Skills53 is more than a challenge - it’s a chance to learn, compete, and showcase your talent in one of the most exciting fields in IT today.
How It Works
Competition Format
Skills53 is a timed competition where you’ll solve cloud computing tasks using AWS. You’ll have three hours to work through as many tasks as possible, balancing speed and accuracy. While most tasks can be completed independently, some are interconnected, encouraging strategic planning.
Platform and Tools
The competition platform provides everything you need, including a temporary AWS account and detailed task instructions. You can track your score in real time, switch between tasks at any time, and request hints when needed. Keep in mind that using hints will reduce your score slightly, so it’s up to you to decide if and when they’re worth it.
You can find a comprehensive list of all AWS services utilized in the upcoming competition on the Job Description page for the Regional Championship 2025.
Rules of the Competition
- Competition Length: The event lasts three hours, and your progress is graded automatically in real time. There’s no need to submit results manually.
- Open Book Format: You are allowed to use any online resources, including documentation, tutorials, and AI tools, to solve the tasks. The competition focuses on problem-solving and creativity, so you don’t need to memorize AWS-specific details.
- No Communication: Collaboration or communication with other participants or external individuals is strictly prohibited. Violations will result in disqualification.
- Confidentiality: You may not disclose any competition materials, tasks, or information to others before, during, or after the event.
Training and Preparation
Preparing for the Skills53 competition is a key part of ensuring you feel confident and ready for the event. We offer multiple free training opportunities to help you build your skills and get familiar with the competition environment. These resources are designed for participants of all experience levels, with no credit card or billing information required.
Training Resources
Explore the available training methods to find the ones that suit you best:
- AWS Academy: Learn foundational AWS skills through structured courses and hands-on sandbox access.
- Demo Challenges: Practice on the official competition platform with real-time scoring and feedback.
- Sample Tasks: Get an idea of the types of challenges you might encounter by reviewing example tasks.
For a complete overview of all regional training opportunities, visit the Regional Training page.
Register Your Interest
To access training opportunities, fill out the Google Form to register your interest. We’ll notify you once access to resources like AWS Academy and demo challenges becomes available.
These materials are provided completely free of charge, ensuring that every apprentice can participate and prepare effectively.
Participation Requirements
To take part in the Skills53 competition, you’ll need to meet the following requirements and prepare accordingly:
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
Participants must bring their own laptops unless otherwise specified by your school or competition venue. Your device only needs:
- A web browser of your choice.
- An email address for competition login.
- Optionally, an SSH client like OpenSSH or PuTTY if you prefer command-line access (not required).
No additional software or virtual machines are necessary since everything runs on AWS.
Competition Access
On the day of the competition, you’ll receive credentials to log into the competition platform. The platform will provide access to your tasks, a temporary AWS account, and your current scores. You’ll also be prompted to confirm personal details such as your name, school, or employer for ranking purposes.
Tools and Resources
You are free to use any online tools or documentation during the event. While AI tools are allowed, participants are encouraged to focus on applying their knowledge to ensure a deeper understanding of the tasks. However, please ensure compliance with the competition rules:
- No collaboration with others.
- No disclosure of tasks or materials before, during, or after the event.
Eligibility
The Skills53 competition is exclusively for apprentices. If you’re unsure about your eligibility, please reach out to the Skills53 team for clarification.
Additional Information
For further details about the competition and its rules, please visit the official page for the regional championships provided by ICT Berufsbildung Schweiz. This page provides comprehensive information about the regional championships, including rules, schedules, and updates.
If you have any questions or need clarification, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Visit our Contact Page for more information.