By Alix Pressley Head of Strategic Content

We take a look at this month ’ s biggest talking point for data centre leaders .

ata centre organisations

Increased digital demand has resulted in a growing need for data centre workers which puts pressure on organisations to cast a wider net and show people why they should consider taking up a career in this field .

Developing talent in a sector that is often referred to as ‘ the beating heart of the digital economy ’ is crucial for its continued success and development . One advantage of bringing awareness to students is that they already have a level of understanding about the importance of technology as a centrepiece to Digital Transformation – they are often

well-informed about the impact of their technology use in terms of increased data demands which result in the continued development of these facilities .

In light of this , it was recently announced that an award-winning education programme giving students a head start into digital careers is rolling out to three Thames Valley schools – UTC Reading , UTC Swindon and UTC Oxfordshire – following its successful launch at UTC Heathrow .

The Digital Futures Programme , which was developed in close collaboration with leading digital infrastructure industry employers , is a first for any UK school . Aimed at 14 – 19-year-olds , the programme , which contributes to a BTEC Level 3 National Diploma / Extended Diploma in Engineering ( NQF ), equips students with the essential knowledge and skills needed to thrive in technical careers within the digital infrastructure industry , comprising the network cabling and data centre sectors and other digital environments .

Alongside this , Digital Realty also announced that it will join eight digital infrastructure employers as trust partners in the Digital Futures Programme . This education / industry partnership provides students with a head-start into digital careers , propelling them towards a successful future .

Digital Realty staff will work with students as part of the programme , to deliver a mix of employer-led projects , challenge days , masterclasses and skills workshops . It has been reported that previous employers working on the programme have found it to be hugely rewarding , both in terms of well-being , professional development and even recruiting apprentices .

Welcoming new talent to such a thriving industry which offers great career prospects and the opportunity to flourish in an area which is constantly innovating , is extremely rewarding . It offers the opportunity to develop new skills , with an abundance of roles on offer – whether you ’ d prefer to work as an engineer or prefer something more customer-facing , there is something for everyone . The data centre industry should most definitely be one to consider if you are wondering what ’ s next for you on your career journey .

More information on how to navigate this can be found here . �

www . intelligentdatacentres . com 7