It’s more important than ever to ensure a steady flow of new skilled professionals joining the data centre industry. Could initiatives like the AVK Academy be exactly what the sector needs? 

The data centre industry is becoming increasingly important to our day-to-day lives, as evidenced by the UK Government’s decision to designate data centres as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). Despite that growing importance, the sector still suffers from a severe skills shortage that could threaten its future. 

According to the 2023 IT Skills Gap report by Forbes Advisor, 93% of UK businesses acknowledged a gap existed within their organisations, while that figure was even higher for respondents of a similar survey from BCS, with 98% of businesses believing they would see a decline in the supply of staff in 2024. 

The issue with a growing skills gap is the fact that the industry is currently experiencing enormous growth, fuelled by the rise in AI and high-performance computing. That growth could quite easily be derailed if we don’t have the people in place to actually deliver it. This is without even considering the myriad of other challenges facing the industry, including access to power and the slow planning system that exists in the UK. 

Thankfully, those within the industry are acutely aware of the impact that skills shortages can have, and this has prompted them to devise new approaches to bring fresh talent into the industry, but to also upskill those already working in the data centre industry. 

Getting people into the data centre industry

There are already numerous campaigns to attract new blood to the sector, whether it’s the former UK Government’s viral campaign on how ballet dancers should ‘retrain in cyber’ during the Covid-19 pandemic, or the very real pay benefits of the sector, which is being transparently reported in national media. 

While those campaigns are great for getting new people interested in the sector, it’s then important to ensure people gain the right skills to deliver on the growth the industry is expecting. That is where initiatives like the AVK Academy come in, aiming to develop the next generation of data centre engineers. 

With a new training hub in Kent, AVK, a supplier of power solutions for the data centre industry, is now delivering a blend of theoretical learning with practical experience for everyone from new entrants to seasoned professionals looking to upskill. Additionally, it offers participants a City & Guilds-recognised qualification, as well as personal mentorship to help them get their next role within the sector. 

While AVK acknowledges that no single organisation can entirely resolve the skills gap, it hopes the AVK Academy will play a role in a coordinated effort across government, industry, and educational bodies.

Interview with AVK’s Lynsey Partlow

Data Centre Review caught up with Lynsey Partlow, Services Director at AVK, to shed some light on the Academy’s purpose, challenges, and future plans.

Q: What was the motivation behind the creation of the AVK Academy, especially considering the ongoing skills gap? How has that skills gap impacted your ability to do business in the UK?

The resource pool that AVK recruits from within the data centre industry is highly competitive and in significant demand. This has resulted in delays in filling open vacancies, impacting our ability to scale and grow our business effectively. Finding engineers with the right skills in the right locations has become increasingly challenging, necessitating a proactive approach to securing and developing talent.

The AVK Academy was established to address this challenge head-on by focusing on the organic development of engineers who are trained to the highest technical standards and aligned with AVK’s products, values, and long-term objectives. This ensures a steady pipeline of skilled professionals equipped to meet current and future skill demands for critical power solutions.

Q: By launching the AVK Academy, you’re helping address the skills shortage, but can readily admit that alone, the impact won’t fix the problem we’re facing. What do you envision as the long-term solutions to dealing with this ongoing problem? Do we need more government intervention or would you like to see the industry take a more proactive step, like you have with the launch of the AVK Academy?

While the AVK Academy is a significant step forward, it is clear that no single organisation can fully resolve the skills shortage in the data centre industry. To address this issue at scale, a multifaceted and collaborative approach is required. At AVK, we are actively involved in initiatives such as FWD (Forum for Women in Data Centres) and The Leap, a collaborative programme involving over 20 organisations working to close the skills gap.

There is also a critical need for government involvement to create more structure and oversight for accredited training programmes. Many training initiatives are proprietary and lack the standardisation and accessibility needed to benefit the broader industry. Government-led initiatives could help provide funding, create industry-wide standards, and promote careers in the sector. At the same time, we encourage more companies to take proactive steps, as AVK has with its Academy, to invest in talent development and collaborate across the industry to share knowledge and best practices. A coordinated effort between the public and private sectors will be essential for a long-term solution.

Q: At the moment, the AVK Academy seems primarily designed for those entering the industry – but with the pace of technology changing at such a rapid rate, there is a need to ensure we’re constantly upskilling even our existing engineers. Is this an area you want to explore in the future?

The AVK Academy is not exclusively focused on new entrants. We are equally committed to the ongoing professional development of our existing engineering team. The rapid pace of technological advancement in the data centre industry demands that even existing professionals stay ahead of the curve. To address this, we offer targeted training programmes to ensure our engineers remain at the forefront of the latest technologies and industry trends.

 Beyond this, we are developing additional programmes to support other teams within AVK, fostering a culture of continuous learning across the entire organisation. Upskilling is not just a future consideration for us – it’s an integral part of our current strategy to maintain the high standards our customers expect and to future-proof our workforce against emerging challenges and innovations.

Q: Are there plans to expand the AVK Academy to other locales? For those looking to join the industry in areas that host major data centre hubs, such as Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, a trek down to Kent may be a bit much. How do we ensure there’s no regional disparity in boosting the next generation of data centre engineers?

Recognising the importance of accessibility, we are actively exploring plans to establish a satellite AVK Academy in the North of England. This expansion will complement our primary base in Kent and allow us to extend training opportunities to those in key data centre hubs such as Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Glasgow.

Q: What support systems are in place at the AVK Academy for trainees to ensure they successfully transition into the workforce upon completing their training?

The AVK Academy provides a robust support system for all trainees to ensure a smooth transition from training to employment. Each participant is paired with an assigned mentor who offers guidance, feedback, and encouragement throughout their journey. Our mentors undergo dedicated training to equip them with the skills to provide adequate support and monitoring.

This mentorship programme is complemented by a structured framework that includes regular progress assessments, tailored feedback, and hands-on experience. By fostering a supportive and nurturing environment, we help trainees build the confidence and competence needed to excel in their roles.

Building a broader solution

While the AVK Academy offers a direct route for developing skills in critical power solutions, the overarching labour market challenges persist. Government programmes, such as Skills England, aim to coordinate training standards and ease regional disparities. If these initiatives succeed in supporting regional academies and encouraging further industry involvement, the UK data centre sector could benefit from a more robust, homegrown talent pool.

The hope is that other organisations will similarly invest in training and professional development. We’ve already seen similar initiatives from the likes of Schneider Electric, and standalone training companies like CNet Training and the National Data Centre Academy, but it’s clear to address the ongoing crisis, we need more Government intervention, especially if, like Keir Starmer has promised, we want to capitalise on unleashing AI throughout the whole economy.