Red Hat Training and Certification: Shaping the future of IT in 2023

As 2023 comes to a close, Red Hat Training and Certification is wrapping up another monumental year of upskilling teams and sharing best practices in open source technology. From innovative training modalities to evolving certification pathways, Red Hat continued to shape their offerings to meet the needs of learners in the IT industry, developing the future of the IT workforce in the United States and abroad.

New pathways to certification

Red Hat offers a free personalized Skills Assessment tool to empower individuals and teams in identifying areas for growth based on their skill set and experience level. Individual assessments help users evaluate their current skills and find the most suitable starting point for their training journey. Meanwhile, team assessments pinpoint skill gaps and training opportunities for groups, facilitating informed discussions about their development needs.

The tool's enhanced reporting capabilities provide comprehensive insights into strengths and weaknesses related to Red Hat technology. This benefits both individual learners and managers. Managers can easily add and assess team members, streamline training processes, and assign customized courses to meet the team's specific needs.

In a similar vein, in response to the increasing demand for containerization and cloud-native technologies, Red Hat has updated the Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift program to align with evolving industry requirements. The certifications have been rebranded: the Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift Administration is now known as the Red Hat Certified OpenShift Administrator, and the Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift Application Development has become the Red Hat Certified OpenShift Application Developer. These changes eliminate the Linux-based prerequisites of the older OpenShift certifications, making them more accessible to learners who may have previously encountered technical knowledge barriers to achieving Red Hat Certification.

Expanding access to world-class Red Hat Training

For years, Red Hat Training has embraced virtual education across regions, granting students the freedom to master Red Hat technology beyond the confines of a brick and mortar classroom. Our live, instructor-led virtual training mirrors the excellence of our in-person programs, encompassing hands-on labs, seasoned instructors, and seamless class interaction. In 2023, Red Hat Training and Certification announced the extension of these online offerings into China for the very first time. This expansion includes virtual and self-paced training options, access to Red Hat Learning Subscription, and the opportunity for individuals to sit for certification exams. With these flexible choices, students across China can now tailor their learning and certification experiences to suit their unique requirements.

Red Hat Learning Subscription offers a flexible and personalized learning experience — and users now get the Red Hat Learning Subscription with a 14-day trial. This trial grants access to self-paced resources created by Red Hat experts, including live courses, video instruction, ebooks, and cloud-based labs. With over 50 pre-built skills paths and unique learning paths, users can tailor their learning to their specific goals.

During the trial, users can explore the platform, engage in hands-on labs, and assess the user experience. They can access the first two chapters of courses, enjoy four hours of lab time, and create customized learning paths.

In addition to this trial extension, Red Hat has extended lab access for most instructor-led training courses with virtual lab environments. Learners now have an additional 45 days of access to course labs after training ends. This extension allows them to review materials, refresh their knowledge, and apply their learning at their own pace. It accommodates various learning formats, including classroom, virtual, or on-site, and applies to most Red Hat Training courses, with a few exceptions.

Preparing Red Hat Academy students for careers in IT

Red Hat Academy is continuing to address the growing skills gap in the technology workforce by partnering with academic institutions around the globe. Red Hat Academy offers students at college and universities access to online courses, hands-on labs, and access to a learning platform, making technical education accessible to all by removing the financial barriers to upskilling.

Red Hat Academy has worked with over 500 academic partners to train over 50,000 students. The Linux Foundation's Open Source Jobs Report highlights the growing need for open source talent, and with 90% of Fortune 500 companies using Red Hat products, Red Hat Academy enables students to close the gap between theory and reality with practical skills and experience.

An added advantage for participating students is membership to the Red Hat Academy Talent Network, which connects employers with qualified candidates trained in open source and Red Hat technology. Joining this network provides industry partners with a unique advantage, as Red Hat Academy candidates are well-prepared for industry roles, and many have received training in degree-granting and nonprofit institutions. Moreover, joining the network is a simple and straightforward process for employers looking to explore new recruiting opportunities.

Connecting at Red Hat Summit 2023

Red Hat Training and Certification boasted a large presence at Red Hat Summit. In addition to talking shop with Red Hat experts in the expo hall, over one hundred attendees participated in Power Training, a two-day learning experience led by expert Red Hat instructors. Attendees also accessed exclusive benefits, including a dedicated cocktail hour with Red Hat technical leaders and 30 days of access to Red Hat Learning Subscription Basic.

2023’s Power Training courses included Red Hat Enterprise Linux Automation with Ansible, Red Hat System Administration I, Red Hat OpenShift Development I, Red Hat OpenShift Administration II, and Developing Advanced Automation with Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform. Power Training in 2024 will be even more dynamic and engaging — stay tuned for advanced courses, expert guidance, and exclusive perks.

Another Red Hat Summit celebration included the announcement of Jasper Wiegratz, a DevOps Solution Architect at SVA System Vertrieb Alexander GmbH, as the 2023 Red Hat Certified Professional of the Year. With an impressive 17 Red Hat certifications, including two Red Hat Certified Architect designations, Jasper is known for his passion and expertise in driving IT projects forward. He plays a pivotal role in implementing resilient solutions using Red Hat technologies like OpenShift and Ansible.

Beyond his technical achievements, Jasper has led initiatives to close skills gaps related to Red Hat technology, fostering a culture of excellence within his organization. This recognition highlights the importance of Red Hat Certification in advancing careers and addressing the skills gap in the IT industry, and Jasper's achievements were aptly celebrated at a cocktail hour honoring Red Hat Certified Professionals and Innovation Award winners.

As we look ahead to 2024, Red Hat Training and Certification remains committed to providing dynamic and engaging learning experiences, advanced courses, expert guidance, and exclusive perks. Join us on the journey to advance your IT career with Red Hat Certification and training options. For more information on Red Hat Training and Certification options, explore all of the skills pathways or explore all of the available ways to train.