I want to get certified in AWS, but the official training is expensive. Are there enough free resources for learning tech skills in the cloud domain to pass a practitioner exam? I specifically need labs that won't accidentally charge my credit card for usage.
3 answers
AWS offers the "AWS Educate" and "AWS Cloud Quest" which are gamified and free. Microsoft Learn is also fantastic for Azure because it provides a "sandbox" environment where you can deploy resources for free without using your own subscription. These are the most reliable free resources for learning tech skills in the cloud space because they are produced by the providers themselves. You can absolutely pass the Cloud Practitioner or Azure Fundamentals exams using just these materials and a few free practice tests from sites like ExamTopics. Just be sure to always set up "Billing Alarms" on your personal accounts to avoid unexpected costs.
Does anyone know if Google Cloud has a similar free tier or sandbox for people who want to learn GCP?
Check out YouTube. Creators like Andrew Brown offer 10-hour-long "FreeCodeCamp" videos that cover the entire exam syllabus for AWS and Azure certifications.
Andrew's videos are legendary. He basically gives away what others charge hundreds of dollars for in specialized bootcamps.
Marcus, yes! Google Cloud Skills Boost often gives out month-long free trials if you join their "Arcade" program. It's one of the best free resources for learning tech skills for GCP specifically. You get access to Qwiklabs, which are pre-configured environments where you can experiment with BigQuery or Kubernetes without any risk of a surprise bill.