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Andela's Bold Step Towards Training Technologists in AI Skills

In a significant move to enhance technological capabilities, Andela, the world's largest private marketplace for technical talent, has announced a groundbreaking initiative: the establishment of the Andela AI Academy. With a focus on equipping the next wave of developers with essential AI coding skills, the academy aims to train a total of 3,000 technologists in collaboration with GitHub, the leading platform for version control and collaborative software development.

Launch and Goals of the AI Academy

As part of its inaugural program, Andela has successfully seen the completion of its first 200 technologists, all participating in a training focused on GitHub Copilot, an advanced AI coding assistant. The ambitious plan is set to expand, with an additional 1,000 technologists expected to be trained by the end of this year and further 2,000 in the year 2026. By launching this initiative, Andela aims to bridge the glaring skills gap in AI and ensure that both its talent and clients remain competitive in a technology-driven landscape.

Carrol Chang, CEO of Andela, expressed optimism about the future of software development, stating, "This initiative ensures that both Andela and our clients remain competitive in an AI-driven future, while creating opportunities for technologists to advance their careers through cutting-edge skill development."

Comprehensive Curriculum

The AI Academy's training program, provided free of charge to participants, is comprehensive, spanning eight weeks and designed to significantly boost developer productivity—a goal of increasing output by 30% to 50% in the short term, with a long-term target of enabling tenfold performance improvements.

Participants embark on a learning journey covering varied aspects of the GitHub Copilot tool, from basic operations to hands-on integration of AI in real-world scenarios. The curriculum equips learners with skills necessary for prompting, debugging, and the ethical use of AI technologies across multiple programming languages. Additionally, ongoing mentorship and preparation for GitHub Copilot certification are integral parts of the program, further enhancing the learning experience.

The initial cohort demonstrated impressive results, with a completion rate of 92%. Out of these, 86 technologists secured GitHub Copilot certification, a significant achievement attributed to the collaborative effort with GitHub. The program attracted participants from continents worldwide, demonstrating Andela's commitment to inclusivity in tech education.

The Growing Demand for AI Skills

The urgency for AI-capable workers has dramatically increased. Current statistics reveal that approximately 25% of job postings in the U.S. are now seeking candidates with AI expertise. However, a disconnect remains as many workers have yet to attain the required skills amid the rapidly evolving tech landscape. Through initiatives like the AI Academy, Andela is taking proactive steps to ensure its network of over 170,000 technologists is future-proofed against the changing demands of the job market.

Not one to rest on its laurels, Andela is already looking ahead. Plans are underway for the next phase of the AI Academy, focusing on the mastery of generative AI. This move aligns with Andela's strategic vision, especially after its recent partnership with the Cloud Native Computing Foundation to train a substantial number of African technologists in Kubernetes, preparing them for global opportunities as demand for cloud-native development grows.

About Andela

Andela operates one of the largest private marketplaces for highly skilled digital talent, offering flexibility for companies to deploy qualified technical expertise swiftly. With a presence spanning over 135 countries, Andela’s talent pool is adept in advanced technologies vital for services ranging from application development to artificial intelligence, cloud dev ops, and data engineering.

Major global brands, including GitHub, Mastercard, and Mindshare, partner with Andela, recognizing the value and competence of its diverse talent network. As the evolving landscape of technology continues to shape the future of work, Andela's initiatives stand as a beacon of opportunity for technologists worldwide.