Partner badges are easy to display and harder to earn than most buyers realise. Competency validation in particular requires customer references that AWS contacts directly, along with a technical review of the delivery method. That is why we treat it as evidence rather than decoration.
What each validation required
Advanced Tier Services Partner
Tier progression is driven by certified headcount, launched opportunities and validated customer outcomes. It is a threshold rather than an assessment — it tells you the practice has scale and a delivery track record, not that a particular workload type has been reviewed.
Migration Competency
A technical validation of migration methodology across assessment, mobilisation and migration phases, supported by customer case evidence that AWS reviews and references it contacts directly. It is the closest thing to a third-party audit of how a partner actually runs a migration.
Generative AI Competency
Validation covering responsible AI practice, solution architecture and demonstrated production deployments — not proofs of concept. Evaluation, guardrails and human oversight design are explicitly part of the review.
Well-Architected Partner Program
Authorises us to deliver formal Well-Architected Reviews using the AWS framework and tooling, with reviewers who have completed AWS-run training and calibration.
Which competencies required customer references, and may we speak to one of those references? A partner with genuine validation will answer immediately.
Certifications across the team
| Domain | Certification | Held by |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Solutions Architect – Professional | 9 consultants |
| Architecture | Solutions Architect – Associate | 22 consultants |
| Architecture | Advanced Networking – Specialty | 3 consultants |
| Engineering | DevOps Engineer – Professional | 7 consultants |
| Engineering | SysOps Administrator – Associate | 11 consultants |
| Engineering | Developer – Associate | 14 consultants |
| Data & AI | Machine Learning Engineer – Associate | 6 consultants |
| Data & AI | Data Engineer – Associate | 8 consultants |
| Security | Security – Specialty | 5 consultants |
Individuals commonly hold several certifications, so these figures are not additive.
How we keep it current
- Every consultant holds at least one associate-level certification within 90 days of joining
- One professional or specialty certification within 18 months
- Exam fees, study leave and a first re-sit are funded without a business case
- Recertification is scheduled as delivery work, not personal time
The scheduling point matters most. Certification programs fail when study is expected to happen around a full delivery load, so we book it into capacity like any other commitment.
A certification pathway that depends on people studying in their own time is a policy, not a program.
What certifications do not tell you
They demonstrate breadth of service knowledge, and they are a poor proxy for judgement. A certified architect who has never run a cutover weekend will still design a cutover plan that does not survive contact with a change window.
So when you evaluate us — or anyone — ask about the engagement that went badly and what changed afterwards. The answer tells you considerably more than a badge count.
Want the current, verified list?
Partner status changes as programs and headcount change. Ask us and we will confirm in writing, with the Partner Network profile link so you can check it yourself.