Accelerating careers in just one year: hear from participants in our Japan FASTER Program

Red Hat Consulting Services provides deep expertise in Red Hat products along with best practices. We support customers end-to-end—from strategy development and design through to operations—to help them address complex technical challenges, maximize ROI (return on investment), and minimize risk.

In this article, we speak with the first participants of the “FASTER Program,” a special recruitment initiative designed to develop the next generation of Red Hat consultants. We interviewed two members who joined the Consulting Services team in September 2025 and are currently progressing through the program.

The FASTER Program (Field Accelerator for Sales and Technical Emerging Roles) is a

global Red Hat program designed to intensively develop the next generation of talent over the course of one year. Centered on advanced technical training and hands-on practice, it supports participants in quickly becoming productive contributors. Upon completion of the program, continued career development at Red Hat is expected.

Ryo H.
Previously worked in system integration (SI) roles at two companies. He was involved in a wide range of delivery projects, from infrastructure to application layers, and gained hands-on experience using Red Hat products.

Kotaro M.
Gained perspectives from both the system development and system ownership sides through experience at an SI firm and a business company. He had no prior experience with Red Hat products before joining the company.

First, what inspired you to apply for the FASTER Program?

Ryo H.: I had the opportunity to work with a Red Hat consultant on a project at my previous company, and I had long admired the role. However, Red Hat had a strong image in my mind as a “group of specialists,” and I was unsure whether I, as a relatively junior engineer, could succeed there. That was when I learned about the FASTER Program, which offers one year of intensive training. I immediately thought, “This is it.”

Kotaro M.: My situation was quite similar to Ryo’s. I had a friend working at Red Hat, which sparked my interest, but I had no prior experience with Red Hat products. However, the program does not require product experience and instead values practical experience in real-world system development. Having worked in both an SI firm and a corporation, I felt this would be the perfect step forward for me, so I decided to apply.

A year of intensive learning with the FASTER Program

Regarding this “year of intensive learning,” what kind of training is involved specifically?

Kotaro M.: We undergo structured training focused on product knowledge, primarily covering three core solutions: Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Ansible, and OpenShift. In addition, we are required to obtain internal certifications. As part of the practical training, we also deliver problem-solving presentations to “virtual customers” played by senior employees. The program culminates in a Capstone presentation, where FASTER participants from across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region gather in Singapore to present their outcomes.

Ryo H.: For example, in the exercises with virtual customers, we would first gather requirements by listening to the customer’s challenges and then design and build the system. In the latter half of the program, we also have many opportunities to shadow real projects, which allows us to learn directly from senior colleagues working on the front line.

What did you learn or gain from shadowing real projects?

Ryo H.: Our senior consultants are constantly pursuing cutting-edge practices such as AI-driven development and platform engineering. Being able to observe them up close is, in my view, one of the greatest privileges of this program. Watching them engage with such forward-looking technical domains is extremely inspiring and highly educational.

Kotaro M.: The product knowledge we gain during training is considered the baseline. On the front line, our seniors are always focused on how to solve customer challenges using those products. I am constantly impressed by their logical and sincere approach, which prioritizes selecting the technologies that truly contribute to solving the customer’s needs.

Please tell us about the support system and the company atmosphere.

Kotaro M.: The support system is extremely robust. We receive assistance from a wide range of people, including managers, global support staff, mentors, and onboarding buddies. They support us in every aspect—from weekly one-on-one meetings and shadowing real projects to answering technical questions. There are no rigid hierarchies or barriers, so we are able to easily reach out for help whenever we face challenges.

Ryo H.: I agree. Many people at Red Hat are very approachable, and it’s an environment where even junior members can freely share their opinions and seek advice. We also have close interaction with the head of the Japan division, and the encouragement we receive on a daily basis is very motivating. Since participants come from various countries, there are naturally cultural and language gaps, but everyone is very supportive, and we overcome these through a strong sense of mutual help.

Kotaro M.: I also really appreciate that there were two openings for the FASTER Program in Japan. Ryo and I are essentially in the same cohort, so we were able to discuss the program casually from the start and support each other in communicating with overseas members, rather than struggling alone.

Ryo H.: I also find Kotaro’s presence very reassuring, as I can consult with him freely. Having a “peer” like him is definitely one of the strengths of this program.

Kotaro M.: I’ve heard that the next FASTER Program intake in Japan will also have two participants per role, so I think it is designed to allow participants to learn from and challenge each other as peers.

Do you have opportunities to use English?

Kotaro M.: Essentially, all communication within the program and with members from other countries is conducted in English. At first, I was keenly aware of my lack of English proficiency, and since language skills don’t improve overnight, it was quite frustrating.

Ryo H.: That’s true—it took some time for us to get used to working in English. To be honest, neither of us had experience giving presentations in English when the program started, so we focused simply on producing output in English as much as possible. Through those daily efforts, our English skills improved to the point where we are now able to deliver presentations.

Taking to the big stage in Las Vegas

 I hear you won the Grand Prize in the virtual client presentation competition and got to present at Red Hat One in Las Vegas.

Red Hat One is an annual event where engineers, sales professionals, and Red Hat partners from around the world gather for keynote sessions, workshops, and networking.

Kotaro M.: There was a program where FASTER participants from each country delivered presentations to virtual clients, and we, as the Japan team, were awarded the Grand Prize.

Ryo H.: I focused on both infrastructure and application aspects, while Kotaro brought in the perspective of the end-user company. It was great that we were able to leverage each other’s strengths and refine our strategy together while preparing the presentation.

Kotaro M.: Competing against peers from around the world and being recognized in this way made all of our hard work feel truly worthwhile. As a result, we earned the opportunity to present at Red Hat One in Las Vegas.

How was the presentation in Las Vegas?

Kotaro M.: I was nervous on the day of the event, but when teams from across the APAC region cheered for us as if we were their own representatives, and when the organizing team told us afterward, “That was an excellent presentation—very easy to understand even for non-native English speakers,” we both felt an incredible sense of accomplishment.

Kotaro M.: Actually, my first child had just been born right before my trip to Las Vegas, so I was practicing my presentation at home every day while feeding the baby. (laughs)

Ryo H.: The night before the presentation, we gathered in our room and practiced repeatedly, facing the wall until the very last moment. That has now become a good memory. (laughs)

A message for future FASTER participants

 What kind of person do you think is suited for the FASTER Program?

Ryo H.: I think people with a strong desire to learn and a willingness to take on challenges are well suited for this program. You are exposed to a wide range of technologies and solutions, so I believe you can move closer to your ideal career if you make the most of the opportunity. I would also highly recommend it to those who want to work on a global stage. The experience of competing and building relationships with peers from around the world will become a lifelong asset.

Kotaro M.: I agree. A strong willingness to learn is essential. Since the program includes not only technical training and presentations but also project shadowing, the required skill set is extremely broad. You will need to learn any missing skills along the way, so a proactive attitude toward learning and challenge is key. I believe this program is a great fit for those who are excited by exploring new possibilities and solving customer challenges.

Do you have a message to share with those considering applying?

Kotaro M.: The FASTER Program is a highly structured program designed to develop you into a full-fledged Red Hatter and technical consultant. Completing it is not an easy journey, but I believe it offers an exceptional opportunity for growth. I encourage you to take that first step. I look forward to meeting you.

Ryo H.: I personally feel that I grew significantly through this program. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to dedicate themselves fully for a year and make a major leap forward. We look forward to your applications!

Red Hat Services is currently looking for new team members. Please click here to view our open positions.