Joshua Feinberg and Eckart Zollner discuss the challenges of onboarding new hires in the data center industry, particularly in South Africa, which is relatively new to the mainstream data center market.
They highlight the evolving skill sets required due to technological advancements and the lack of a solid educational foundation in local institutions.
Joshua points out the significant talent shortage exacerbated by the retirement of experienced professionals, as exemplified by the 10,000 baby boomers retiring daily in the U.S.
They also note the limited availability of higher education programs focused on data center technology, with only a few institutions offering relevant degrees or certificates.
Employers like IBM, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud are stepping in to address this gap by providing certifications for both their employees and the public.
The conversation suggests that private employers may need to develop their own education programs to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in the data center industry.
This video is excerpted from the podcast Ep. #60 Eckart Zollner, Business Development of Digital Parks Africa | Data Center Go-to-Market Podcast.
Action Items
- Investigate the feasibility of creating in-house training and certification programs to upskill new hires.
- Explore developing partnerships with educational institutions to create focused data center-related programs.
- Follow industry trends and best practices in other markets to stay informed about evolving technology and skills requirements.
Outline
Onboarding New Hires in the Data Center Industry
- Joshua Feinberg inquires about the effectiveness of current recruitment practices for new hires.
- Eckart Zollner confirms that the approach has succeeded and emphasizes continuous learning in software and hardware engineering.
- Eckart highlights the evolving nature of technology and the need for constant education to stay updated with trends and market developments.
- He notes that South Africa's data center industry is relatively new, lacking a solid foundation in educational institutions to provide the necessary skills.
Challenges in Talent Acquisition
- Joshua Feinberg discusses the talent shortage issue, particularly focusing on the retirement of experienced professionals.
- He mentions a widely circulated statistic about baby boomers retiring in the United States and the impact on the data center industry.
- Joshua points out the lack of higher education programs in the U.S. that offer degrees or certificates in data center technology.
- He suggests that large employers like IBM, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud are stepping in to address this gap by offering certifications for both their employees and the general public.
The Role of Private Employers in Education
- Joshua Feinberg questions whether private employers will need to develop their own education programs to meet the talent demand.
- He suggests that these programs could help scale the knowledge transfer more effectively than relying on anecdotal methods.
- The conversation highlights the need for comprehensive education and training initiatives to support the growth of the data center industry.
- The discussion underscores the importance of collaboration between employers and educational institutions to address the talent shortage.
Resources
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