The race to build the world’s digital infrastructure continues as companies continue to transform their IT infrastructure footprints to accommodate the growth of cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and other data-intensive applications and services. It’s progressing faster than ever before. reason.
All innovation today seems predicated on the availability of digital services and applications, and data centers as engines of digital services are becoming one of the main pillars of the modern economy. These realities have created a workforce problem in the data center industry, which is exacerbated by the lack of women pursuing careers in the industry.
In response, the Infrastructure Masons (iMasons) Digital Infrastructure Senior Capstone Project and other educational initiatives, the Nomad Futurist Foundation’s Potential Enhancement Program, the Global Electronic Design Automation and Intellectual Property Initiatives include the company Cadence Design Systems’ Technology Diversity Scholarship and Women in Technology. (WiT) initiative was launched to promote education and diversity within the “digital built world”.
Addressing talent shortages in data centers
The data center industry is facing a human capital shortage, as workers who have been at the top for decades are preparing to retire, and there is no real mechanism for transferring organizational knowledge to the next generation. .
The field suffers from a general lack of awareness about data center careers, a lack of education about relevant technology in schools, and a notable lack of women in technology who want to work in the data center subset. Masu.
To help improve this situation, iMasons and the Nomad Futurist Foundation are jointly developing educational programs for a wide range of audiences, from elementary school students to adults facing unemployment or the need or desire to change jobs.
The goal is to create an educational curriculum about data centers that can be used in industries not traditionally associated with data centers.
Santiago Zuinaga, iMasons CEO, said of Nomad Futurist:
“Their teams have generated waves of support through awareness efforts, forged meaningful connections in the local education community, and engaged thousands of young students. Together, we We can contribute and create synergies to raise the profile of the digital infrastructure industry and close the talent gap by educating and developing the next generation of skilled professionals in the industry.”
This important partnership allows iMasons to expand its already strong global network and adaptability, and has already launched a variety of scholarships, resource groups, and chapter programs for education and inclusion.
Nabeel Mahmood, co-founder and managing director of Nomad Futurist, sees collaboration as an agent of change, but not the only one.
“This is also a powerful example of industry leaders coming together to unify the sector and build the connective tissue needed to move the industry forward and develop, both within and across industries, between generations, and across generations. I am a digital professional.”
The Open Compute Project Foundation is also partnering with the Nomad Futurist Foundation to add expertise to address the industry’s human capital shortage.
said Dirk Van Slyke, OCP Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer.
“The OCP Foundation believes that the future talent needs of our community are essential to our community’s success. That’s why we partnered with the Nomad Futurist Foundation to help close the future talent gap for the next generation entering the industry. I am pleased to be able to cooperate with you.”
This characterization applies directly to Nomad Futurist’s educational advocacy work, which also includes iMason.
raise awareness
Lack of awareness of educational resources is likely the biggest single barrier to entry for new members of the data center workforce. Many people don’t know about the technology that helps modernize their data centers and don’t think about the career opportunities that come with it.
To alleviate this challenge, iMasons, OCP, and Nomad Futurist are working together to help schools implement digital infrastructure education. By incorporating digital infrastructure education into school curricula, the goal is to create new pathways for students to enter the industry.
By working with schools and communities, these organizations can reach large and diverse populations. This educational activity encompasses everything from early schooling to advanced study programs for degree holders who are trained and developed as future leaders in the industry, all with the aim of providing data to a new generation. Our ultimate goal is to solve the mysteries of the center industry.
Leveraging Nomad Futurist’s community efforts, these student-focused programs not only lay the foundation for the next generation of digital infrastructure innovators, but also provide the talent needed to bring the technology industry to our communities. By doing so, we strengthen communities around the world.
The importance of diversity in data centers
The data center industry recognizes that diversity issues exist. This has historically been a STEM problem. [science, technology, engineering, math] The problem of commitment.
Statistics show that only 25-30% of technology employees are women, less than a fifth of business leaders (compared to 18.7% in the US), and women make up almost no representation in leadership teams. Meanwhile, in the US, women in the AI field make up just over 20% of the workforce, and many careers lack clear growth paths.
Recognizing this reality, some organizations have launched initiatives to increase women’s participation in the data center sector.
For example, Cadence Design Systems’ Fem.AI program focuses on AI and targets gender inequality in technology in general. Philanthropy and product donations through this program support women-led ventures, university students, and nonprofit organizations that advance girls and women in AI and other STEM fields.
Fem.AI focuses on what it calls “leak points” in the technology pipeline. This is a key area where women drop out or fail to advance in technology education and careers, including the transition from post-secondary education to the workforce and women’s social retention. STEM Career Track.
But the program also has a broader approach than many other diversity initiatives. Fem.AI not only provides funding, but also builds partnerships and alliances between industry, academia, and nonprofits that help enable systemic change so that more women can ultimately succeed. We also aim to build. This should have the effect of increasing the proportion of women in careers centered around data centers.
For example, iMasons has launched resource groups like iMWomen, which focuses on the professional development of women in the digital infrastructure industry. The group offers networking events, mentorship, data and other resources to help women navigate industry challenges.
By providing this support, iMWomen is building a more connected community of professionals who can advance each other’s careers, giving women a real opportunity to build sustainable data center careers.
Build a more inclusive future for your data center
As evidenced by partnerships such as iMasons and OCP with Nomad Futurist and Cadence Design’s Fem.AI, these efforts are helping to close the sector’s workforce and education gaps and help the data center industry diversify its ranks. This is just the beginning of how to improve your experience. .
These measures are just a starting point. The data center industry must continue to invest intentionally in pre-college and higher education training programs, outreach programs, and inclusion efforts.
On the other hand, the industry is growing rapidly, so sourcing talent from competitors has its limits in driving true growth. Therefore, new, younger staff members are required to take up the position.
By building a diverse educational pipeline to prepare the next generation of technology workers in the workplace, the data center and digital infrastructure industry remains well-equipped for technology innovation and creates a more equitable working environment. can be secured.
