A multimode pumping scheme for Er(3+)/Yb(3+) co-doped waveguide amplifiers based on broad area lasers at around 980 nm is presented. The proposed amplifier is fabricated by ion-exchange (IE) technique on silicate and phosphate glasses. The highly efficient energy transfer from Yb(3+) to Er(3+) ions, combined with the use of low cost and high power broad area laser, allows the realization of high performance and cost-effective integrated amplifiers. The structure has been designed and numerically studied using a 3D finite element modelling tool, and over 3 dB/cm small signal gain has been predicted for an optimized amplifier. Preliminary characterization of an amplifier structure provides a first experimental evidence of the novel multimode longitudinal pumping.