Get up to 60% off Linux Foundation tech training courses and certifications for Cyber Week

Want a good tech job? Then, it’s almost essential you know your way around Linux and open-source software. Sure, there are still jobs for Windows techs or at the Apple Genius bar, but Linux and open-source are the best way forward for a long-term profitable career. 

One of the best ways to learn these skills is to take Linux Foundation classes and get one or more certifications. And, lucky you, from now until December 11th, the Linux Foundation is offering substantial discounts on its renowned training programs and certifications during its 2024 Cyber Monday sale. 

Also: 5 ways to get the best Linux support, no matter your skill level

The Cyber Monday promotion features discounts of up to 60% on classes and certifications. This limited-time offer presents an excellent opportunity for tech professionals and enthusiasts to enhance their skills and career prospects.

The importance of certifications

I can’t overstate the importance of certifications. When I started, I was able to show my employers I knew my way around Unix servers and networks. That was then. This is now. Today, even if you have mad open-source developer skills or Linux sysadmin abilities that employers want, human resources gatekeepers who don’t see the certifications they’re looking for won’t let you show your prospective boss your technical chops. 

The Linux Foundation is an IT certification pioneer, offering its first certification exams in a remote format in 2014. Before this, taking an IT certification exam outside a testing center was virtually unheard of. The Linux Foundation established verifiable, secure remote proctoring processes, which remain in place. This approach makes it much easier for qualified individuals to obtain certifications without traveling. 

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All Individual courses and certifications are available at half price. In addition, IT Professional Programs designed to kickstart cloud or DevOps careers come with a 65% discount. Power Bundles, which include two certifications and their companion courses, are offered at a 60% discount.

Generally speaking, each course comes with 12 months of access to materials; a full year plus two attempts to pass certification exams, and a complimentary gift with each purchase, such as a Linux Foundation cap, a stuffed Tux mascot, or socks. Me? I like the Tux. 

The Linux Foundation deals I recommend 

Here are some of the packages I think are especially worth considering, based on my many years covering Linux and open-source software.

1. Introduction to Linux (LFS101)

What’s that? You don’t know anything about Linux? No worries, The Linux Foundation offers this intro MOOC class. It’s the most popular of all The Linux Foundation’s courses, with almost a million classes given to date. In this course, you’ll learn:

• A good working knowledge of Linux

• How to navigate through major Linux distributions

• System configurations and graphical interfaces of Linux

• Basic command-line operations

• Common Linux applications

Last but not least, this is a free class.

2. Linux Foundation Certified IT Administrator and Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator 

This package consists of two classes and their certification exams: 

These are fundamental Linux system administrator classes and certifications. CompTIA’s Linux+ is more basic, and if you have no experience with Linux, I’d start here. But, if you’ve used Linux at home or on the job, go for The Linux Foundation class instead.

Also: Open source fights back: ‘We won’t get patent-trolled again’

In these classes, you’ll learn how to administer, configure, and upgrade Linux systems. Specifically, you’ll learn how to do admin basics on one of the three major Linux distribution families: Red Hat, SUSE, Debian/Ubuntu. You’ll also learn to build and manage a production Linux infrastructure efficiently.

The set usually costs $894. For now, it will run you $358.

3. Certified Kubernetes Administrator and Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist 

This package consists of: 

Let me say this right up front: Kubernetes is not easy to master. But, if you can get on top of it — and these classes will help a lot — you’ll be gainfully employed for the foreseeable future. The average Certified Kubernetes Administrator salary in the United States ranges from $90,000 to $130,000 per year. With experience, your salary will rapidly go up from there. 

Also: My Linux predictions for 2025: It’s going to be a good year

This package usually costs $1,190. During this holiday sale, it will cost $476.

If you prefer a more traditional class with a live instructor and a lab, there’s Kubernetes Administration (LFS458), and you can enroll for $1.625 instead of $3,250.

4. Cloud Engineer IT Professional Program

Let’s say you want to get into cloud computing, but while you may know your way around your PC, the cloud gives you hives. In that case, this six-month program may be just what you need. This program includes classes in Linux, containers, DevOps cloud-native computing, and Kubernetes. Along the way, you’ll pick up a LFCS and CKA.

This package usually costs $1,200. For a limited time, it’s available for $480.

5. THRIVE-ONE subscription

Finally, for people seeking continuous learning during the year, the THRIVE-ONE subscription is available at a 10% discount. This subscription provides unlimited access to the e-learning catalog and certification exam attempts for a year. Even then, it’s not cheap. The annual subscription is $360. But, when you consider what you get — access to almost all the Linux Foundation classes — I think it’s cheap at the price. 

Finally, for any Cyber Monday purchase, you’ll receive a $100 gift voucher to apply to any e-learning or instructor-led training course or certification from January 1, 2025, to October 31, 2025. It’s a nice add-on to what’s already a great offering. 

Also: Jim Zemlin, ‘head janitor of open source,’ marks 20 years at Linux Foundation

So, if you want a holiday present for yourself or a buddy that’s good for you, try the Linux Foundation classes and certifications. You’ll be glad you did.