In a bid to tackle the ongoing skills shortage in the data centre industry, HireHigher, in partnership with CyrusOne, a leading global data centre developer and operator, recently organized a significant digital infrastructure conference for students. This initiative brought together 90 sixth form students from St Mark’s Catholic, Gunnersbury Catholic, and Logic Studio Schools in West London for what is recognized as the largest student-facing digital infrastructure event in the UK.
The conference was held at the London Heathrow Marriott Hotel, coinciding with the celebration of International Data Centre Day. This event also marked three years of collaboration between HireHigher and CyrusOne, aimed at raising awareness about the critical role data centres play in today’s society and the job opportunities they present, especially for the Gen Z demographic.
Data centres form the backbone of the digital infrastructure that supports various economic, scientific, and social activities. A recent independent survey commissioned by CyrusOne, titled ‘Listening to Communities,’ highlighted a concerning finding: individuals aged 16-24 were the least aware of the integral role data centres play in facilitating digital applications like WhatsApp, with only 35% recognizing this connection.
This lack of awareness underscores the importance of engaging younger generations through events like this, which are designed to elucidate the significance of data centres, their essential contributions to modern society, and the diverse career paths they offer.
“CyrusOne’s commitment to attracting top talent to the industry is evident as they continue to partner with us for events like this. To draw the best workforce, we must foster passion and awareness among the youth, ensuring they are informed and inspired about their potential futures within the industry,” said Adelle Desouza, Founder of HireHigher.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with HireHigher again. In-person engagement is vital for connecting with the next generation of talent and demonstrating how relevant and exciting our industry is. One of the highlights of the day was tasking students to design a community-oriented data center, allowing them to engage with real-world industry challenges while considering sustainability and social equity,” said Emma Fryer, Director of Public Policy Europe at CyrusOne.
Supported by VIRTUS Data Centres, this annual event plays a crucial role in HireHigher’s mission to enhance careers advice in schools and partner with organizations that can enact real change within the industry. Initiatives like this not only attract new talent but also contribute positively to addressing the skills shortage currently faced by the sector.
The agenda featured a panel of graduates and apprentices from CyrusOne and HireHigher’s Rising Star Programme, offering insights into their roles and career pathways. Students were also granted the opportunity to visit one of CyrusOne’s or VIRTUS’s data centres, bringing them closer to the practicalities of the field.
“This event provided students an invaluable chance to engage with professionals from a well-established sector, offering them excellent perspectives on potential career paths they can explore for their futures,” said Vlad Tipu, a Computer Science teacher at Logic School.
Overall, the conference represented a significant step toward bridging the gap between education and industry, empowering the next generation to pursue careers in digital infrastructure and technology.
