Digital Realty has agreed to become a partner of the Digital Futures Programme, joining eight other employers from the digital infrastructure sector.
The programme, run by the Activate Learning Education Trust (ALET), is aimed to equip 14-19-year-olds with the knowledge and skills needed to work in technical careers. The programme contributes to a BTEC Level 3 National Diploma/Extended Diploma in Engineering (NQF),
Digital Realty staff will engage with students to deliver a employer-led projects, challenge days, masterclasses and skills workshops.
“At Digital Realty, we are very excited to be taking part in this initiative,” said Richard Oosterom, Director of Operations, UK & Ireland at Digital Realty.
“We see it as a way to contribute to the education of our current generation, to promote the data centre sector, which is increasingly important for the digital economy, and as a source of development for our staff. It’s a win-win for all.”
Jo Harper, CEO of ALET, added, “The UK is facing an unprecedented skills shortage: we need engineers, computer scientists and other digitally-skilled staff. The Digital Futures Programme is focused on equipping students with the skills to succeed in the digital industries, bringing together companies which are serious about acting to address the skills shortage with STEM-focused schools with specialisms in digital, engineering and science prepared to forge a new path for their students.”
Launched at UTC Heathrow in 2021, the programme recently expanded and is now available at UTC Reading, UTC Swindon and UTC Oxfordshire.
