Everywhere we go, we hear layoffs, layoffs, and layoffs! Companies are looking to hire, but many students and professionals are struggling to find new jobs. So, where is the gap? The problem lies in a lack of industrial-demanded skills in the industry. We have been actively involved in the CNCF ecosystem for some years now, and it has helped us get connected worldwide and build a strong network. Sharing our knowledge with study groups, cloud-native, and AI community groups, we have also conducted webinars and online meetups to help people develop their skills. Join us in discovering the strategies for integrating CNCF projects into academic curricula, providing students with real-world experience and bridging the gap between academia and industry with us. This talk will explore the significant potential of engaging university students in open-source projects within the CNCF, offering fresh perspectives on collaboration and skill development outside of traditional Internship programs.