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New program to address data engineering skills shortage

By January 5, 2023January 6th, 2023News

What is the reason behind the significant shortage of data engineering experts in Europe?
This complex issue partly originates from the availability of data education and how it tends to focus on data science or the business logic of data analysis rather than on the underlying architecture.Ā  To address the skills shortage, we at Klarrio decided to launch our very own data engineering academy, tutorrio by Klarrio The academy is open to everyone with an interest in and a basic understanding of computer science. It offers a comprehensive, hands-on training focusing on open-source technologies. Not only is it free, but students already receive a remuneration package while studying, as well as a job contract with Klarrio upon completing their studies. Read to find out more in our article featured in the latest edition of Business Trends: The Business Magazine for International Enterprises.

Based in Antwerp, Belgium, Klarrio is a systems integration, consulting, and software development firm specializing in real-time data streaming. The company integrates services that require cloudnative/open-source expertise and provides a strategic bridge from traditional legacy software designs to distributed and parallel messaging and data processing frameworks. Klarrio recently decided to launch its own Training Program, tutorrio, to address poor data engineer supply. Kurt Jonckheer, Klarrioā€™s Chief Executive Officer, says that while data engineers have been on the list of most wanted profiles in the IT industry for years, and the field is expected to grow exponentially, schools simply cannot bring enough data engineers to the market whose skills and knowledge meet industry demand.

Established in 2016, Klarrio has evolved to become a leading systems integration partner that supports companies in their digital transformation process and on the path to a data-driven architecture. ā€œWe evaluate our customersā€™ existing IT architecture to determine whether theyā€™re future-proof,ā€ Mr. Jonckheer explains. ā€œIf theyā€™re not, we help them scale up to ensure that they are.ā€

This is work that requires a high level of cloud-native and open-source expertise, he emphasises. ā€œKlarrio now has teams in the Netherlands, Germany, Australia and the US. We need to grow these teams and ensure that our customers, too, can avail of the people who have these skills. The problem is that thereā€™s only a small pool of experts to recruit from. New open source projects addressing our field of expertise is scarcely being instructed when looking at the domain of Data Engineering. Education tends to focus on data science, in other words on the business logic of data analysis, but rarely on the underlying architecture. We decided that we canā€™t wait for that to change so we developed our own training programme.ā€

Tutorrio is open to everyone with a basic understanding of, and interest in computer science, he emphasises. Numerous people want to study data engineering, but in many cases, they either canā€™t afford it, or they donā€™t have access to the hands-on training the need to develop their skills, and Klarrio aims to fix that with an ā€˜earn to learnā€™ model. Throughout the course, students will build a robust foundation in software engineering through a unique combination of on-site courses instructed by Klarrio experts, selfstudy, group assignments, and certified training.

What also differentiates tutorrio from other offerings is Klarrioā€™s belief in open-source technology, while addressing cloud economics and the ethical considerations regarding data. The program offers ample opportunities to play and experiment while learning advanced skills that enhance the traineesā€™ ability to succeed.

ā€œOur main goal is to immerse gifted candidates in the overall concepts of data engineering, and how to select the right solutions, at the right time, and in an optimal way to future-proof their careers,ā€ says Mr. Jonckheer.

The enrolment process in the first tutorrio program in Belgium has already begun. Klarrio will evaluate at a later date whether they will export the programme to the other countries in which it is active, but Mr. Jonckheer emphasises that for now, he prioritises European skills development. ā€œItā€™s a pity that a lot of talent moves to the US. We need to be more autonomous in Europe.ā€

The article is published in the 109 issue of Business Trends – the Business Magazine for International Enterprises.Ā