F E A T U R E

of UK consumers remain unaware of how data centres underpin their everyday digital lives. Addressing this knowledge gap will be increasingly important through 2025 and beyond to secure public support for industry expansion, attract new talent and improve relationships with local communities.

Public information campaigns can play a central role in helping people understand why reliable data centre operations matter for their personal and professional lives: from online banking and shopping to telehealth appointments and real-time data analytics.

As awareness of data centres’ importance increases, and new opportunities for specialists emerge, the industry could see a surge in recruitment in the remainder of the year, and into the further future. techUK analysis projects that if the UK can increase data centre supply above 10 %-to-15 % annual growth, it could unlock 40,200 additional and often high-paid data centre operational roles by the year 2035.

As data centres expand, operators will have to invest strategically in communities. Building relevant partnerships in areas like employment and education will enhance and establish mutually beneficial relationships.

It is important for companies to go beyond philanthropy to tackle the skills shortage by introducing enhanced apprenticeship models and training programmes, equipping young people with practical technical skills that close the skills gap.

By partnering with local colleges and universities, the data centre industry should be ready to produce the engineers that data centres are going to need.

Volunteering initiatives and community engagement programmes, such as designated‘ giving back’ days, are

Mark Pestridge, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Telehouse Europe

likely to become more widespread, enabling data centre teams to contribute meaningfully to local projects and charitable causes, including STEM workshops, mentoring schemes and technology donations.

The adoption of flexible working practices in line with equality, diversity and inclusion goals will help to broaden recruitment strategies to ensure a better talent-pool, while at the same time building stronger links with local communities. These initiatives will position data centres as critical infrastructure providers, as well as socially responsible employers invested in community well-being and sustainable growth.

Today, we stand on the cusp of an era of significant change and growth for data centres in which they must adjust quickly to the needs of customers and communities, as well as the emergence of new technologies.

If they are successful entire societies will see they are beneficial to the prosperity and wellbeing of everyone, supported by the low-latency networks and highspeed connections that power our everyday digital experiences. �

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