Kubestronaut certification programmes drive cloud skills in Asia

The Cloud Native Computing Foundation has reported continued progress with its Kubestronaut and Golden Kubestronaut programmes across Asia as the region contributes notably to global growth in cloud native talent.

Data from Portworx, a member of the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), highlights that 80% of organisations intend to build the majority of new applications on cloud native platforms within the next five years. However, 75% of these organisations still experience challenges adopting Kubernetes, largely due to a shortage of skilled talent. This situation has led to an increased focus on certifications within the sector.

The CNCF's Kubestronaut programme aims to bridge this skills gap by recognising individuals who validate their expertise through CNCF certifications. Chris Aniszczyk, Chief Technology Officer at CNCF, explained the objectives and regional impact of the programme: "The Kubestronaut program is about recognizing commitment and the passion these individuals demonstrate as they build their knowledge in the cloud native space. In Asia especially, we're seeing developers turning certification into a springboard for leadership and deeper engagement in the cloud native ecosystem."

Since the launch of the Kubestronaut programme in November 2024, almost 1,800 Kubestronauts have been recognised across more than 100 countries. Of this total, 280 Kubestronauts are based in Asia, including 29 in China and 63 in Japan. Additional participants come from Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea, Thailand, and Bangladesh.

CNCF has planned celebrations for the newest Kubestronauts in both China and Japan. In China, new members will be acknowledged at a private breakfast event for Ambassadors and Kubestronauts. In Japan, celebrations will take place during the Japan Community Day, a co-located event with KubeCon + CloudNativeCon, scheduled for 15 June. During these events, attending participants will receive official jackets in recognition of their achievements and sustained efforts.

The value of certification in the rapidly developing Asian technology landscape was noted by Christophe Sauthier, Cloud Native Training and Certification Lead at CNCF. "The energy from the community here in Asia is incredible. We're seeing first-hand how developers across the region are embracing certifications to accelerate their careers and contribute to the broader cloud native movement," said Sauthier.

The Golden Kubestronaut programme rewards further advancement in cloud native education. Participants must complete all 13 CNCF certifications as well as the Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) certification. Launched in April, the Golden Kubestronaut programme has seen steady uptake in Asia with nearly 30% of the 54 Golden Kubestronauts worldwide coming from the region. Golden Kubestronauts are present in China, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, Bangladesh, and other countries.

Golden Kubestronauts are recognised with branded rewards, including a commemorative backpack, beanie, and a ThriveOne subscription for ongoing professional development. Additional benefits include a free annual ticket to a Kubernetes Community Days event of the participant's choice, a 50% lifetime discount on KubeCon + CloudNativeCon registration, and a featured profile on the Kubestronaut website.

These programmes are intended to strengthen the CNCF certification ecosystem and play a role in the ongoing development of the cloud native sector. By encouraging professionals to complete the full suite of CNCF certifications, the programmes seek to broaden the pool of certified talent, enhance engagement with CNCF's events and training, and reinforce CNCF's position as a standard setter for cloud native education.