Developers, analysts and administrators can now get free training in what has been described as one of the most bankable skills in the IT industry – working on big data with Apache Hadoop.

MapR Technologies, which offers the top-ranked distribution of Hadoop, has donated the equivalent of US$50 million of online training in how to run the algorithms and manage the most popular open source framework for big data. Analysts at 451 Research predict that demand for Hadoop will grow to a value of $2.7 billion by 2018.

The MapR-sponsored training programme is a bid to speed up the worldwide adoption of Hadoop technology. Its multi course curriculum is designed to be user friendly and intuitive with interactive video lessons, hands-on exercises, labs and quizzes. The rationale is to allow professionals to pick up the requisite skills and knowledge in their own time and at their own pace, according to the course creators.

Certification is to be provided by independent skills assessor Innovative Exams, which will ensure that students who reach a certain level of big data competence are awarded with qualifications.

“We focused on making it easy for anyone to receive high-quality, comprehensive Hadoop training anywhere in the world,” said Dave Jespersen, vice president of worldwide services at MapR.

Developers, data analysts and administrators who complete the appropriate coursework can become certified Hadoop Developers, Hadoop Data Analysts or Hadoop Administrators. Another certification allows graduates to learn skills as HBase Developers.

The value of each course is approximately $1,750 and an estimated 10,000 individuals will take on average three courses each. Subjects range in difficulty from Hadoop Essentials, Operations and Cluster Administration to Developing Hadoop Applications.

Later this year MapR will launch additional courses in more advanced subjects like HBase Schema Design and Data Modeling, Developing HBase Application and Data Analysis with both Apache Drill and Apache Hive.

The lack of widespread Hadoop configuration and development skills is holding the market back and driving up the premium for these skills, according to 451 Research.