DevOps and Containerisation (Docker)

By the end, you can put an app in a Docker container, run several containers together, and set up an automatic build and deploy pipeline.

Job-ready skillAbout 140 hours3 stagesFree

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DevOps is how software teams build, test and release code quickly and safely, using tools like Git, Docker and automated pipelines. It is a strong next step for developers or IT support people who like automation.

Turn on JavaScript to track your progress. The lessons are:FoundationsLearn Linux command line basics and Git.Task: Using a free Linux environment, practise 30 common commands and write a small shell script that backs up a folder with the date in the file name.Core skillsContainerise apps with Docker and understand images, containers and Compose.Task: Write a Dockerfile for a small web app, run it with a database using Docker Compose, and push the image to Docker Hub.Applied practiceAutomate builds and deployments, and learn what Kubernetes is for.Task: Set up a GitHub Actions pipeline that runs tests and builds your Docker image on every push. Write a one-page explanation of the pipeline.

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What competent looks like

Comfortable in the Linux terminal
Writes Dockerfiles and Compose files
Builds a CI pipeline that runs tests
Explains containers versus virtual machines
Reads logs to find why a deploy failed

The South African route

No licence required. Certificates such as Docker Certified Associate or Kubernetes (CKAD) help later. Employers mostly want to see pipelines and containers you have built on GitHub.

Free resources

Docker getting started guide
Docker Docs
GitHub Actions documentation
GitHub Docs

These links go to free courses and sites run by other organisations. We chose them in October 2026 but do not run them, so check costs, dates and entry requirements on their site. Broken link? Tell us.

Jobs it can lead to

Junior DevOps engineer
Build and release assistant
Cloud or platform intern
Site reliability trainee