Focusing on foundational knowledge and skills in Kubernetes and the wider cloud-native ecosystem, the collaboration aims to train 20,000 to 30,000 individuals over the next two to three years. 

Participants of the free training will have the opportunity to prepare for the Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate (KCNA) and Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD) certifications, which are recognized industry credentials.

“This partnership showcases the global impact of CNCF’s education programs. By standardizing cloud native knowledge, developers across the globe can confidently work toward certifications that will enable them to land developer positions both within their own countries and globally,” said Chris Aniszczyk, CTO at the CNCF. 

“By partnering with Andela, which has a long history of training technologists in Africa, we see great opportunity in providing our training to communities that may otherwise not have access. Together, we can create a win-win for companies that need workers and workers that need opportunities.”

According to Google’s Africa Developer Ecosystem Report 2021, the increased global demand for remote tech talent, which was accelerated by the pandemic, created more remote employment opportunities for African developers.

Now, 38% of African software developers work for at least one company based outside the continent.

”We are excited to partner with CNCF to extend training and, ultimately, enhance job opportunities for African workers. The continent is emerging as one of the most important markets in the world. It has the fastest-growing population of developers, and its young workforce will be key to solving the tech talent shortage,” said Carrol Chang, Andela CEO. 

“Organizations are looking for talent with advanced skill sets like AI and cloud-native, and this particular skill set is a perfect addition to the Andela marketplace.”

Training participants will take six to nine months to achieve the KCNA and CKAD certifications and will be selected from Andela’s talent marketplace, which includes 150,000 technology professionals globally, with a large percentage from Africa. 

Andela’s talent marketplace in Africa spans 49 countries, including Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana. 

The company fosters an active community for marketplace participants and has worked with numerous companies, including Google, Meta, Microsoft, AWS, and Nvidia, to train talent in technologies that offer vast workplace opportunities.

The need for cloud-native developers continues to increase and a recent study by CNCF revealed that almost 55% of developers landed a new job as a result of training and certification courses. 

Almost 7 in 10 (67%) said it made them feel more engaged and fulfilled in their work. However, 8 in 10 (81%) also said cost prevented them from completing certifications. 

“As a non-profit focused on growing open source and cultivating the IT talent needed to sustain it, partnerships – like this one with Andela – help us train and certify underrepresented groups, which is crucial to both our long-term success and amplify our impact,” said Clyde Seepersad, senior vice president and general manager of Linux Foundation Education.

Carrol Chang, who previously held a senior leadership role at Uber as global head of Driver and Courier Operations, will also join Andela’s Board of Directors. 

She succeeds Jeremy Johnson, the co-founder of Andela, who will continue to serve on the board but steps down as CEO.

Chang’s appointment comes at an important moment for Andela, a company that started as an innovative African startup and has grown into a billion-dollar unicorn. 

Known for her ability to scale businesses, particularly during times of rapid growth, Carrol Chang is seen as the right leader to guide Andela into its next phase.

Her experience in expanding Uber’s driver network to nearly seven million individuals across 70 countries reveals her capability to manage large-scale operations and thrive in complex global markets.

Speaking about her new role, Chang said, “It is an honour to lead a mission-driven company like Andela. The opportunity to shape the future of the global talent market, valued at $8.5 trillion, is both exciting and challenging. I am eager to continue Andela’s mission of connecting top-tier talent with global opportunities.”

Chang’s leadership experience spans beyond Uber, with roles at McKinsey & Company, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and various international organisations focused on education and economic development. 

Her mixed background is expected to bring fresh perspectives to Andela as it continues to refine its business model and expand its global footprint.

Jeremy Johnson, reflecting on his decade-long journey with Andela, is positive about Chang’s ability to lead the company forward. He noted, “The digital transformation of global hiring is just beginning, and Carrol is the perfect leader to drive Andela’s next chapter. Her strategic vision and deep understanding of marketplace dynamics will be crucial as we work towards becoming the world’s most trusted talent marketplace.”

Founded in 2014, Andela has trained over 110,000 technologists from more than 135 countries, greatly contributing to job creation and career development globally. 

With Chang, Andela aims to continue its mission of bridging the gap between skilled professionals and global employers, strengthening its place in grooming leaders across the global talent marketplace.