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Hi AWS Training Admin’s,
I'm excited to share that
Cohorts Studio v2.0 launched today on AWS Skill Builder - the first major update since its debut in November
2025. Whether you're already running cohorts or exploring the platform for the first time, this update makes it significantly easier to design, manage, and scale cohort-based learning programs. Below is an overview of the platform and what's new.
Cohorts Studio is a cohort-based learning solution on AWS Skill Builder,
included at no additional cost with your Team Subscription. It transforms how teams develop cloud and AI skills together - turning isolated, self-paced training into structured, social learning programs that drive real completion and engagement.
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Structured Programs
Design multi-week learning journeys with weekly agendas, milestones, and flexible pacing (typically 2-4 hrs/week)
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AI-Powered Recommendations
Get smart content suggestions aligned to your goals and auto-chunked Learning Plans for weekly consumption
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Engagement & Gamification
Tournaments, leaderboards, badges, and nudge emails keep learners motivated throughout the program
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Unified Reporting
Track participation, spot at-risk learners, and tie learning outcomes to business objectives - all in one place
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Set up a cohort in as little as 15 minutes using guided workflows and customizable templates - admins of any experience level can deliver at
scale with minimal overhead.
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Certification Exam Prep - Run structured study groups with weekly
milestones, practice exams, and SME Q&A sessions
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AI/GenAI Bootcamps - Launch multi-week upskilling programs with hands-on
labs, Cloud Quest, and team competitions
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Role-Based Onboarding - Accelerate new hire cloud readiness with
tailored learning paths and peer accountability
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Team Competitions - Boost engagement with Cloud Quest Tournaments,
Escape Rooms, Trivia, and Jams with live leaderboards
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What's New in v2.0 (July 2026)
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These enhancements were shaped directly by customer feedback - here's what's new:
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Edit Published Cohorts Without Starting Over
Two out of three published cohorts need edits after launch. Now you can update live cohorts directly - add or remove activities, shift start dates, insert new weeks, add live
meeting links, designate optional activities, and set custom holiday week messages. No recreating from scratch.
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Collaborate & Transfer Ownership
Assign co-managers, transfer cohort ownership instantly, and share templates via shareable preview links. Viewer access lets stakeholders observe progress without editing -
eliminating single-manager bottlenecks. Templates built by AWS on your behalf can be transferred directly to your team.
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Expanded Content Options
Paste any Skill Builder course or Learning Plan URL to add it directly to your cohort agenda. Learning Plans are automatically broken into weekly consumable chunks. New pre-built
templates available, including AWS Certified Generative AI Developer - Professional (AIP-C01) exam prep.
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Built-in Competitions & Nudges
Cloud Quest Tournaments, Escape Rooms, Trivia, and Jams are now integrated directly within the cohort flow. Custom nudge emails let you send targeted reminders at the moments
that matter - keeping learners motivated when activities compete with daily work.
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Global Cohort Support
An improved AI recommendation interface helps you build cohorts with smarter content suggestions. Time zone selection means your global teams see the right schedule, regardless
of where they’re located.
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Administration at Scale
Bulk import learners in a single action. Connect Skill Builder groups to your existing team structures. Export cohort data to Excel for reporting. Learning Admins can now create
and manage cohorts without consuming a subscription seat.
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Launching your first cohort is straightforward:
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1.
Define goals
- Align organizational objectives with learner goals (certification, upskilling, onboarding)
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Choose a template or build custom - Use pre-built templates or mix-and-match content for a tailored journey
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3.
Set the schedule - Pick cohort length, weekly hours, and time zones that work for your learners
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4.
Add engagement - Layer in competitions, SME sessions, and nudge emails to keep momentum high
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5.
Publish & track - Bulk-enroll learners, monitor progress on leaderboards, and export data for reporting
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