Cloud is not in the distant future anymore, but it is right above our heads, rapidly changing and transforming how contemporary enterprises host their operations. Do you plan to change your career or grow to a new level? Then, it is time to listen. There are employers in the UK and the EU who are hiring rapidly, with the primary focus on those candidates holding valid or meaningful cloud credentials.
The UK and EU especially have a high demand of cloud skills. The Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2024 by the European Commission already reported that more than 63 percent of business in these regions have taken up cloud services, and the number could touch 75 percent by the last year of 2025. With such technologies as AI, big data, and IoT becoming more integrated into daily operations and practices, there is an evident trend to devote professionals to the development, administration, and security of cloud solutions at the scale.
I work at a fintech company in London and we are searching for capable people that can get straight into AWS / Azure / GCP and hit the ground running with their own experience, says a Senior Cloud Architect.
Top Cloud Certifications in Demand (UK & EU – 2025)
Certification
Key Role(s)
Popular Regions
Industry Relevance
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
Solutions Architect, Cloud Engineer
UK (London, Manchester, Birmingham)
Fintech, Healthcare, Retail
Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate
Cloud Admin, Infrastructure Specialist
Germany, Netherlands, Nordics
Public Sector, SMEs, Enterprises
Google Professional Cloud Architect
Cloud Architect, ML/AI Engineer
EU-Wide, particularly tech hubs
Data Science, AI, Analytics
CompTIA Cloud+
IT Support, Entry-level Cloud Roles
UK & EU general market
General Cloud Fundamentals
Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
DevOps, SRE, Platform Engineers
UK, Germany, Sweden
SaaS, Cybersecurity, E-commerce
AWS Certified Security – Specialty
Security Analyst, Cloud Security Engineer
UK Government, Financial Sector
Cloud Security, Risk, Compliance
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate is in high demand, especially in cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham. Featuring an average salary (increase) of between £12,000 and 20,000, it is a mainstay of the recruitment market among Solutions Architect, DevOps Engineer, or Cloud Engineer applications and more so in the fintech and healthcare industries.
Azure Administrator Associate, Microsoft Certified
The Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate is in particularly high demand in Germany, the Netherlands and the Nordics. Azure has increased its presence in Europe, be it the digitalisation of government services or the automation of SMEs. Mastery in this context means good future in the government and the corporate world.
Google Professional Cloud Architect
The Google Professional Cloud Architect is quickly gaining ground, thanks to its application in AI and ML environments. While GCP doesn’t have the same market share as AWS or Azure, it’s becoming a go-to for organisations deep into data science.
CompTIA Cloud+
For newcomers or individuals, CompTIA Cloud+ offers a vendor-neutral certification that is recognised both in the UK and the EU. Its serves as a recognised basis of knowledge in cloud concepts and the foundations of infrastructure.
Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
And as the use of microservices and containerized applications sets in, Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) has become a necessity, especially to DevOps specialists. This certification is highly valued by SaaS startups, e-commerce companies, and security players.
AWS Certified Security
Lastly, but not least, with a security-driven career ahead, the AWSEC Security Speciality is soon becoming a rather lucrative mid-level certification in the UK. As the risk of cloud security is increasingly becoming a matter of concern, especially in the financial services and the government sector, such a credential becomes distinguished.
Cloud Certification Salary Boost (2025)
Certification
Avg Salary Boost (UK)
Avg Salary Boost (EU)
AWS Certified Solutions Architect
£15,000
€12,500
Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate
£10,000
€9,000
Google Professional Cloud Architect
£13,000
€11,000
CompTIA Cloud+
£5,000
€4,000
Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
£11,000
€9,500
AWS Certified Security – Specialty
£14,000
€12,000
AWS Solutions Architects in the UK can see an average salary boost of £15,000, while their EU counterparts earn around €12,500 more. Azure-certified administrators typically enjoy an uplift of £10,000 in the UK and €9,000 in the EU. GCP Cloud Architects can expect increases of £13,000 and €11,000, respectively. Even entry-level credentials like CompTIA Cloud+ offer a respectable bump, around £5,000 in the UK and €4,000 in the EU.
When it comes to preparing for these certifications, learners are turning to platforms like Fortray for flexibility and cost-effectiveness. It also stands out for its hands-on lab features. However, if you’re seeking structured guidance, live project exposure, and genuine career support, Fortray has become a go-to resource for learners transitioning into the cloud.
As one Berlin-based hiring manager put it, “Certifications are your passport, but hands-on skills are your visa. If you’ve only done theory, you’ll struggle in technical rounds.” Another CTO from Stockholm added, “We fast-track candidates who can explain hybrid-cloud models and security protocols. AWS and Azure dominate, but it’s about more than just the badge it’s about how you apply it.”
Cloud Job Market Growth – Q2 2025
Region
% Increase in Cloud Job Postings
Top In-Demand Technologies
United Kingdom
34%
AWS, Azure, Kubernetes
Germany
28%
Azure, AWS, GCP
Netherlands
22%
Kubernetes, Azure, Terraform
Sweden
25%
AWS, Cloud Security, DevOps
Across the region, job growth in cloud roles is accelerating. LinkedIn data for Q2 2025 shows a 34% rise in cloud job postings in the UK, led by demand for AWS, Azure, and Kubernetes. Germany is close behind with a 28% increase, while the Netherlands and Sweden reported 22% and 25% growth, respectively. Cloud isn’t just trending; it’s the new norm.
To put it simply, the cloud isn’t optional anymore. Employers aren’t asking if you have cloud knowledge, they’re asking how well you understand it and whether you can apply it.
And here’s where Fortray can help.
At Fortray, we don’t just prep you for cloud exams. We take you through:
- Real-world projects
- Interactive labs and sandbox environments
- Practical interview prep
- Direct links to recruiters and employers across the UK and EU
Whether you’re just starting out, switching from a non-IT background, or planning your next move within the tech world, Fortray’s cloud training plus recruitment pathway gives you the skills, the confidence, and the foot in the door.
Start your cloud journey today → fortray.com/cloud-careers
