DEVOPS AS A MANDATORY COMPONENT OF IT SPECIALIST TRAINING: AN ANALYSIS OF ITS RELEVANCE AND PROSPECTS

Abstract

This article examines the relevance of integrating the DevOps methodology into professional training for future IT specialists. It argues that the rapid growth of the digital economy requires students to develop competencies combining programming, administration, automation, and software lifecycle management knowledge. It is concluded that traditional IT degree programmes do not prepare graduates for work in modern DevOps processes, creating a gap between academic education and the needs of the IT industry. An analysis of scientific sources and practical experience has summarised the basic principles of DevOps: process automation, continuous integration and deployment, infrastructure as code, monitoring, and team interaction. These principles have significant didactic potential for developing students' systematic thinking, collaboration, and reflection skills. The main problems of integrating DevOps into the educational process have been identified as follows: a shortage of qualified teaching practitioners, a lack of standardized programs, limited material and technical resources, and the rapid changeability of tools. Proposed solutions to the identified difficulties included involving industry experts in teaching, developing uniform DevOps training standards, and using open educational platforms and cloud environments to train students. The introduction of DevOps into the higher education system was emphasised as a means of increasing the competitiveness of graduates, strengthening the relationship between universities and the IT industry, and creating a new type of engineer ‒ a specialist capable of working in an environment of continuous improvement and high technological dynamics. The results obtained are of practical importance for developing educational standards and training programmes for IT specialists that focus on the real needs of the digital economy.