Training the next generation of software developers—and people who can fill vital roles in companies today – is a growing concern for the industry. SUSE has stepped up to provide the training necessary to master its technology.
Paul Devlin, Chief Customer Officer for SUSE, provides answers to questions about the new training program.
What drove the eLearning platform’s development?
Devlin: There were many drivers behind why we created the eLearning program. One of which was IDC’s 2019 Worldwide CIO report that showed 30 percent of high-demand roles for emerging technologies would remain unfilled through 2022. As a result, training existing teams remains a top priority for CIOs, and SUSE recognized that we need to provide the level of support to accomplish this.
Our eLearning program is focused on all the solutions that SUSE takes to market. We’ve received feedback that our market needs to incorporate blended learning and allow employees to learn at their own pace, in their own time and in a manner that is appropriate to them. Therefore, enabling our technology and our training to be digital across the SUSE solution stack allows us to bring an entirely different experience to our customers and the employees of the companies we work with.
How do the platform’s features address developers’ pain points related to training and continuing education?
Devlin: SUSE eLearning is digital learning designed to help administrators, engineers, and developers master SUSE technology. Whether a user needs access to bite-sized videos to solve an immediate challenge or a more structured learning path leading to certification, SUSE eLearning should be all on one line. SUSE eLearning offers the following features to address the learner’s pain points:
- Flexible learning. eLearning provides learners with intelligent, agile learning opportunities. We enable learning at each person’s pace, in their own time, and independent of location. The eLearning subscription entitles the user to the latest SUSE technical training as soon as they are available.
- Limitless learning. Learners can take as many courses as they need as often as they need to. The subscription gives them the power to get the skills they need to move their business forward. Take classes at their own pace, retake courses to master a skill, or follow a defined learning path.
- Cost-effective Learning. We give learners access to eLearning, covering all SUSE products training, at the cost of accessing in-person, one-product training. They will also learn new skills in a fraction of the time.
Why is access to training critical now as businesses are progressing their digital transformations?
Devlin: Access to training programs for both employees and prospective talents is critical to the success of business today, tomorrow and in the future. Businesses need to be able to modernize with new technology so that their teams can keep up with the demand of today’s ecosystem. With a subscription to eLearning, participants get both—with anytime, anywhere access.
Similarly, providing educational opportunities for those entering the workforce has become increasingly important. To help close the skills gap, specifically in the area of cloud-native application delivery, we recently partnered with Udacity, the global online learning platform. Together, we introduced a Cloud-Native Application Architecture Nanodegree program and are offering 300 scholarships to aspiring cloud-native practitioners, enterprises and higher education institutions. Whether these individuals choose a career at SUSE or another company, it is important that our organization does our part to be a part of the solution and help individuals acquire the right skillsets to succeed in their careers.
Companies also need to ensure that they offer programs that extend beyond training programs. This is why we built the SUSE and Rancher community, which unites accomplished and aspiring cloud-native practitioners to quickly and efficiently develop practical cloud-native knowledge and skills. It also supports discovering and exploring new technologies and ideas that inspire us and sharing our passion and expertise with like-minded enthusiasts. Through this community, we foster instruction tailored to different learning styles and goals, with assistance from peer learners and mentors and hands-on practice and experimentation. Together, we help each other cut through complexity to quickly identify the topics that matter most and learning approaches that work best.
Since this is an eLearning platform, how can developers connect with resources to get extra help or ask questions?
While the eLearning program is designed so that individuals can take it at their own pace, it was also important to create a space where technical support is available to those that need it, which is why we created a dedicated email to house any questions that arise. Additionally, subscribers have access to:
- High-quality videos from certified professional trainers
- The ability to download e-books for offline content
- Progress reports to help reach your goals
- 24x7x365 access to courseware anytime/anywhere
Our program is also designed to incorporate new courses over time so that teachings remain relevant to the trends and skillsets needed to succeed in our open-source environment and beyond.
Do people who complete courses receive certifications or other proof that they can share with employers?
When participants complete a learning path, they are eligible to download and share a Certification of Completion. Furthermore, since users have access to the same courseware and content that you would get in an instructor-led course, eLearning is a great way to prepare yourself for either the SUSE Certified Administrator or SUSE Certified Engineer test. Additional details about the SUSE certifications can be found here.
You can learn more about the program by visiting https://www.suse.com/training/elearning/.
