The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) and Andela are collaborating to provide free cloud-native training to over 20,000 African tech talents, equipping them with globally sought-after skills and certifications. This initiative will run for two to three years, commencing in 2025.
Program Highlights
- Certifications Offered:
- Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate (KCNA): Validates foundational knowledge of Kubernetes and the cloud-native ecosystem.
- Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD): Certifies the ability to design, build, and deploy cloud-native applications using Kubernetes.
- Training Duration: Achieving certification will take 6-9 months per participant.
- Cost: The program is free, addressing a key barrier for many developers who have cited certification costs as prohibitive (81% in a CNCF study).
Why It Matters
The demand for cloud-native skills is skyrocketing as businesses increasingly adopt cloud-native technologies. African developers, with the world’s fastest-growing population of software engineers, are well-positioned to benefit:
- Global Opportunities:
- 38% of African developers now work for at least one international company, according to Google’s Africa Developer Ecosystem Report 2021.
- Certification and training often lead to better employment outcomes, with 55% of certified developers landing new jobs due to these qualifications.
- Solving Talent Shortages:
With global organizations seeking expertise in cloud native and AI, this initiative helps bridge the gap by preparing African developers for cutting-edge roles.
What They’re Saying
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- Chris Aniszczyk (CTO, CNCF):
“This partnership standardizes cloud-native knowledge, empowering developers globally to secure better job opportunities both locally and internationally.” - Carrol Chang (CEO, Andela):
“Africa is emerging as a crucial global tech market. Its growing developer population will be vital in addressing global tech talent shortages.” - Clyde Seepersad (SVP, Linux Foundation Education):
“Training underrepresented groups through partnerships like this is key to the long-term sustainability of open-source ecosystems.”
Broader Context
The program underscores the growing recognition of Africa’s role in the global tech ecosystem:
- Africa’s young and dynamic workforce is uniquely positioned to meet the surging demand for cloud-native professionals.
- Remote work opportunities, accelerated by the pandemic, have made African developers an integral part of global tech teams.
Next Steps
- The initial selection of participants will be drawn from Andela’s talent marketplace of 150,000 professionals, focusing on underrepresented groups.
- The program aims to establish a pipeline of certified cloud-native experts, bolstering Africa’s contribution to the global tech landscape.
This initiative not only builds technical expertise but also reinforces the continent’s position as a key player in the future of cloud-native and open-source development.