UTC Heathrow has partnered with high performance data centre operator Kao Data and will see its people working alongside UTC staff to deliver a co-teach programme of learning based on data centres.
Developed in collaboration with leading data centre industry organisations, the Digital Futures Programme allows students to gain the essential knowledge and skills needed to thrive in technical careers within the data centre sector.
This sector is currently experiencing booming growth but is facing a skills shortage. The Digital Futures Programme, now in its second year, is helping to future-proof the industry by inspiring a new generation to join it and enjoy a rewarding career. The first set of students took up apprenticeship roles within the sector this year.
“Kao Data is proud to add to the diverse roster of hyperscale and data centre organisations helping to support and educate UTC Heathrow’s students,” said Mike Tamblingson, operations director, Kao Data. “Its pioneering Digital Futures Programme will be vital in helping to bridge the data centre skills gap, and future-proof the UK’s efforts to retain its position as a global leader in tech.”
“After an incredible first year of the Digital Futures Programme, I am excited that Kao Data has joined our programme,” said Candace Rose Kumi, Employer Engagement Lead at UTC Heathrow. “With this additional partnership, UTC Heathrow will be able to deliver more co-teach programmes which will help our students build the skills needed for the fast-growing data centre sector.”
UTC Heathrow is a specialist science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) school which teaches students aged 14-19 and has already received international recognition having won the ‘Education and Employment Project Award 2022’ at a prestigious data centre event in Monaco earlier this year. Kao Data will join nine other industry leaders in the data services sector in delivering the Digital Futures Programme.
