A lot of the value comes from getting opportunities through the AWS Partner Network (APN, https://aws.amazon.com/partners/ https://aws.amazon.com/partners/). To

A lot of the value comes from getting opportunities through the AWS Partner Network (APN, https://aws.amazon.com/partners/ https://aws.amazon.com/partners/). To advance through the partner level hoops as a company, you need more and more 1099 or W2 employees who have AWS certifications. Therefore, if you get some certifications, you'll be a lot more attractive as a candidate to companies (mainly tech consultancies) that leverage APN to get business. I hear that the basic ones are very easy, but the professional ones have a bit of heft to them. From a business standpoint, there's no reason for these to be too hard on developers--AWS is trying to push its agenda and needs workers ready with shovels to do so. The benefit could be to identify the most eager partners who can pass a basic competency check to reduce implementation risk, and of course, the training can tour you through the gamut of AWS offerings.