The 8Cs: What Goes into Choosing Data Centre Locations?

Deciding on data centre locations is a balancing act that requires weighing up multiple factors to make sure everything runs smoothly, stays secure, and doesn’t break the bank.  

These factors can be listed as the 8Cs, and each of these elements is crucial in its own right. They influence everything from how much energy a data centre uses and how well it can bounce back from disasters to meeting legal standards and ensuring a seamless experience for end users. 

In this article we’ll look at each of the data centre location factors for site selection.   


Contents


How are data centre locations chosen? 

Data centre location factors can be summarised using the 8Cs: Connectivity, Climate, Carbon neutrality, Certainty, Catastrophic events, Compliance, Capacity for expansion, and Closeness to end users.  


Location criteria for building a data centre: The 8Cs 

Data centre site selection involves:  

1. Connectivity and bandwidth 

    Reliable, high-speed internet is a key factor in deciding data centre locations. Regions suitable for data centre construction must have great network infrastructure, and multiple internet providers and routes to ensure that data can be reliably transferred. 

    Data centre connectivity examples: 

    • Northern Virginia is a region that hosts a huge proportion of US data centres and has a dense network of fibre-optic connections. This super-connectivity means it handles a large proportion of global internet traffic. 
    • The new 2Africa subsea cable will have a large impact on data centre construction in Africa due to increased connectivity.  

    Disruption to internet connection can have a significant impact on end users and their operations, and so connectivity is an important data centre location factor to consider upfront. 

    2. Climate and cooling 

      Servers within data centres generate a huge amount of heat; artificial cooling of data centres is a huge factor in the cost of operating them because of the huge amount of energy required.  

      Regions like Dublin, Ireland, and the Nordic countries are attracting big investment from companies like Google, Meta, and Microsoft, because data centres located there consume far less energy than in hotter markets like parts of the US and Latin America.  

      3. Carbon neutrality prospects 

        As many companies strive towards more sustainable energy solutions (and for some, total carbon neutrality), the capability to use renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric energy is becoming more and more important. Moreover, these energy sources need to be reliable, consistent, and affordable. 

        Frankfurt, Germany, is renowned for its commitment to renewable energy and stringent environmental regulations and has become a data centre hub as a result. 

        data centre industry

        4. Certainty in political and economic conditions 

          It goes without saying that locations with political and economic stability are favoured for data centre construction. 

          5. Catastrophic events 

            Natural disasters and extreme weather events like hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes, and tsunamis can wreak havoc on data centre operations, so regions that experience fewer catastrophic events are favoured for data centre locations. Connectivity and power are two areas that can be affected with devastating consequences.  

            In addition to this, regions hosting data centres need to have robust infrastructure and mitigation measures in place in case events such as these do occur. In an ideal world, every data centre would have a backup location regardless of the possibility of catastrophic events. 

            6. Compliance and security 

              Data centres often store sensitive data, and so compliance and security are a top factor when it comes to choosing a location.  

              Tangible security measures need to be accessible; measures like surveillance system and on-site security personnel need to be available. Intangible measures also need to be considered, such as the location’s regulatory compliance requirements and data protection laws. 

              data centre locations

              7. Capacity for expansion 

                Data centre construction reached an all-time high in 2023, with 3078 MW under construction, a 46% year-over-year increase. With the rate at which data centres are being constructed and expanded, it’s vital for data centre operators to consider a location that can grow with them.  

                This not only means the physical space available but also the access to talent and locally available infrastructure like accommodation and transport. 

                8. Closeness to end users 

                  Finally, the last factor considered for data centre location is the proximity to end users. Regions with large financial or industrial districts can be provided with fast, reliable access to data if data centres are located nearby. 

                  The experience of end users can be improved by reducing overall latency: the time it takes from when the user makes a request, to when a response gets back to that same user. Lower latency means web pages load more quickly and users have a better experience overall browsing the internet.  


                  Summary 

                  In the end, selecting the right spot for a data centre isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about creating a foundation that supports growth, resilience, sustainability, and efficiency for years to come. 

                  As the data centre industry continues to evolve and expand, the significance of data centre locations will only become more critical. Staying informed and proactive in data centre site selection strategies will pave the way for continued success and innovation.



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                  How to Write a CV for Data Centre Jobs (UK) 

                  Creating a standout CV for a data centre job application is a crucial step in advancing your career in the sector. Whether you’re coming from a different sector and want to adapt your existing CV, or you’re applying for a role a step up on the data centre career ladder, your CV needs to effectively showcase your skills, experience, and qualifications.  

                  In this article, we’ll guide you through five essential steps for how to write a CV for data centre positions. We’ll also explore how to tailor your CV for different data centre job applications and highlight four different tools you can use to create a professional CV.  


                  Contents


                  Writing a CV for data centre jobs: 5 steps

                  Follow these steps when writing a CV for data centre jobs in the UK:

                  1. Write your contact information 

                  Firstly, it’s a good idea to write the following contact information on your CV: 

                  • Full name 
                  • Phone number (ideally a mobile number) 
                  • Email address 
                  • LinkedIn profile 

                  By including this information, you ensure that your potential employers can contact you to follow up with your application. Make sure these contact details are up-to-date and professional – perhaps set up a new email address instead of using [email protected]!  

                  2. Write a personal statement 

                  Next, write three or four sentences that summarise your professional background and goals for your career. If you’ve worked in the data centre sector for a while, highlight some important career achievements. If you’ve not worked in data centres before but are looking to break into the industry, write a line or two about why you want to make the move. 

                  Data centre personal statement example: 

                  “Highly skilled and detail-oriented Data Centre Technician with over five years of experience in managing, maintaining, and optimising data centre operations. Proficient in hardware installation, troubleshooting, and network infrastructure management. Adept at ensuring uptime, efficiency, and security in high-demand environments. Strong problem-solving skills with a focus on continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.”  

                  3. List work experience 

                  With your personal statement complete, it’s time to list your work experience. Write your experience in bullet points in reverse chronological order (most recent at the top of the page) and include this information for each previous job: 

                  • Job title 
                  • Company name 
                  • Employment start and end dates 
                  • Key responsibilities 
                  • Achievements 

                  Even if you don’t have any direct experience working in the data centre industry, you’ll have many achievements and transferrable experience.  

                  4. List education and certifications 

                  Next, list your education and relevant certifications. This will include any degrees, professional awards and certificates, and other courses you may have taken. In the world of data centres, some such qualifications in the UK include CDCMP and DCE. 

                  5. List skills and technical proficiencies 

                  Lastly, you’ll want to write a few lines about your skills such as network management, server maintenance, and knowledge of DCIM tools. Mention any specific software or hardware expertise that you have that make you a strong candidate for data centre jobs. 


                  How to write a CV for a job application

                  It can work to your advantage if you tailor your data centre CV to your job application. You don’t need to completely re-write your CV for every job you apply for, but doing some research upfront about what potential employers are looking for will help you in the long run. 

                  Emphasise your most relevant experience and skills 

                  To make your CV relevant to the job you are applying for, put emphasis on your most relevant experience. Write a few extra sentences on your most relevant previous work experience and consider making important sentences bold to draw attention to them. 

                  Make connections between your previous experience and the job description 

                  To make your CV stand out from the crowd, make direct links between the job advertisement and your previous experience. For example, if the job description says: 

                   ‘We are seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Data Centre Technician to join our team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting data centre hardware, including servers, network devices, and storage systems.’ 

                  Then you can reframe your previous experience using language from the job description: 

                  ‘In my previous role as a Data Centre Technician at XYZ Solutions, I was responsible for installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting a wide range of data centre hardware, and successfully managed the deployment of over 200 server units, ensuring proper configuration and integration with existing infrastructure.’ 

                  Don’t forget about ‘soft’ skills 

                  Lastly, don’t forget about the soft skills required for a data centre job. Take a look at the job description and pick out any key soft skills that are of particular interest to your potential employer, and make sure to include them on your CV.

                  For example: 

                  • Communication 
                  • Teamwork 
                  • Problem-solving 
                  • Time management 
                  • Attention to detail 
                  • Adaptability 
                  • Organisation 
                  • Work ethic

                  How to make a CV for a data centre job application

                  There are many ways to make a CV for your data centre job application. Here are just a few: 

                  Word processors 

                  Word processors like Microsoft Word and Google Docs are versatile and widely used for making CVs. Both have customisable cv templates that you can adapt to suit your data centre job application. CVs made with a word processor will be more traditional, without the bells and whistles. 

                  Online design tools 

                  Design tools like Canva and Adobe can be used to make creative, visually engaging CVs with a high level of customisation available. These CVs are usually more suitable for design-focused or creative roles within the data centre sector. 

                  Jobs board CV builder 

                  Online jobs boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Monster have built-in CV builders that you can use to make your CV. These are quick to use and convenient for applying for multiple jobs on the same platform. 

                  Recruiters 

                  If you’re working with a recruiter in the data centre industry, they can assist you with crafting the perfect CV for your job application. They’ll be able to advise on key skills you need to highlight, as well as the most appropriate formatting option. 

                  Are you looking for a data centre job in the UK? Get in touch with us to find out how we can help you secure your next role. 

                  Data centre jobs UK 

                  We recruit for a wide range of data centre jobs in the UK including technical supervisors, shift engineers, planners, and design managers.

                  Data centre jobs London 

                  London is the largest data centre market in the UK and is home to over 34% of all UK data centres. The city is ranked first on Cushman & Wakefield’s list of EMEA established markets and fifth on the list of global established markets. It also features on the top ten markets for land availability, market size, and regulations and incentives. 

                  If you’re looking for a data centre job in London, get in touch with an experienced DataX consultant. 



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                  The skills shortage: Looking from the inside out

                  What a data center recruiter sees as the solution to the skills gap

                  If there is one thing that DCPro is acutely aware of, it’s the skills shortage in the data center industry. In the last couple of years, we have discussed the skill gap with different experts, attempting to understand its cause and identify potential solutions. Recently the expert in question was Andy Davis, the director for DataX Connect and Highfield Professional Solutions, providing an angle on recruitment from the inside out. “I think the skill shortage is a massive challenge with a lot of different facets within it. It’s something that people look at with quite a holistic view, and actually, there’s a lot of individual differentiators within the challenge. I always try and break it down into a few different elements. “You’ve got the entry-level, whether that’s a graduate, trainee, or apprentice. You’ve got that level, where we need more new people coming into the industry. “You’ve then got attracting people from other sectors. So how can we, as an industry, become more attractive than other industries to ensure that we’re getting the best talent? “Then you’ve also got the challenge of retention. How do we keep the best people in the sector?

                  There are a number of different facets that create the skills challenge. I think from a trainee and entry-level perspective, a lot of the conversations I have would boil down to getting your message to these people at the right time, which is at a school level. Going into schools, educating them about the industry, and telling them what data centers are. “I think a lot of focus historically has been on graduates or 18 to 21-year olds, but a lot of those have already made a decision on their career. They didn’t know what a data center was, so they were never going to choose data centers. The key is getting out to the schools. Let’s start educating people at a young age and telling them what a great industry it is, and the careers available.” This idea of expanding awareness of data centers, while indisputably important to focus on during student years, also applies to other industries. It isn’t possible to only recruit internally, and as a result, steps must be taken to create a wide-spread knowledge base of data centers across compatible industries. “Obviously, anyone that’s worked within the forces or leaves the forces

                  and moves into engineering, they’re critical thinkers and they’re able to operate under pressure. But again, that’s another group of people that the manufacturing sector is chasing, the oil and gas sectors are chasing. You’ve got to have a reason for them to come to the data center sector. “I don’t think it’s about there being a particular sector that we should get people from, which is probably where a lot of companies do it wrong. It’s about looking at the person. What are the attributes of the individual that you’re trying to recruit?” Taking this approach of evaluating people holistically, rather than demanding data center experience, can also help with the unavoidable fact of a devastating lack of diversity

                  across the industry. “The majority of people are around my age, and in that white male demographic. That’s the reality of it. We’ve worked this year on diversity, and how can we increase that diverse portfolio of candidates. We don’t just want three people of the same, we want a diverse shortlist. “The key to increasing your diversity is to look outside of the data center talent pool. Because if you go to an event in data centers, and you look at that as your broad brush demographic of the sector, and you want to increase minorities, they’re not there. They’re not in

                  the sector. The whole point around diversity is we need to bring them into the sector. “I worked with a client this year on diversity, and our mission was to find more females to bring into their organization because they wanted female critical thinking, they wanted different ideas. So we didn’t look in the data center sector. We went to other sectors. We identified people that match the attributes and the DNA of that business, and they are now working within that business. “But we wouldn’t have been able to do that if they said to us, ‘we want people with

                  five years data center experience’ or work on hyperscale projects based in this country, it would have been impossible. “Look outside of your industry and make yourself attractive to that minority, whatever it is you’re looking to attract, whatever demographic it is you want, make your business attractive to them, make it work, make it welcoming, and then people will come to you.” Watch the DCPro>Talk in full for more information about the data center industry skills shortage, and how we can work around it.

                  Watch the DCPro talk with Andy here to hear even more about the industry and skills shortage challenge.

                  Top 10 data centre influencers to follow on LinkedIn

                  By Josephine Walbank at Data Centre Magazine

                  Our top 10 data centre influencers are thought leaders who are sharing the most actionable, informative and current content on LinkedIn, right now

                  Out of all the most popular social media platforms, LinkedIn has one of the most educated and highest-earning user bases. In fact, 51% of its audience is college-educated and half have an annual salary of over $75,000. 

                  It is platforms like LinkedIn that are transforming the way that sectors perceive social media. 

                  Now, rather than limiting its perceived use case to finding new hires, the world’s data centre companies and top execs are actually using LinkedIn to enhance their understanding of the industry. 

                  As with any platform, LinkedIn has its influencers. These include everything from the leaders of the world’s largest names, to empowering motivational speakers, and tech masterminds to ordinary people sharing their success stories. 

                  So, in this article, we’ll be recommending 10 of our most inspiring LinkedIn data centre influencers. If you want to know the latest goings-on in the industry, these are the people you’ll want to follow. 

                  1 Kate Brandt

                  As the Chief Sustainability Officer at Google, few know the industry better than Kate Brandt

                  Through her LinkedIn, she shares her insights into Google’s ongoing climate action strategy, technology updates and decarbonisation initiatives, to name a few. 

                  Plus, her feed is filled with current, actionable sustainability advice for companies in the technology and digital sectors. 

                  2 Tony Grayson

                  Tony Grayson is known throughout the industry for his thought leadership and extensive industry experience. 

                  During his 25+ years of technology and leadership experience, Grayson has worked with industry giants such as Facebook, AWS, and Oracle, and held a Commanding Officer role in the US Navy. 

                  On his LinkedIn platform, Grayson shares his insights in data centre topics including (but not limited to) the cloud, the edge, networking, financial management, commercial power and sustainability. 

                  3 Andy Davis 

                  Alongside his role as the Director of DataX Connect, Andy Davis is also the host of the popular podcast, Inside Data Centre.

                  The podcast explores the latest big trends in the data centre industry, with industry giants across the world. And, with over 15 years of experience within the data centre sector, Davis is a host that knows exactly what questions listeners want the answers to.  

                  As you can imagine, Davis’ LinkedIn is a gold mine of industry insights, podcast clips and global data centre news. 

                  4 Todd Coleman 

                  Todd Coleman is the President, CEO and Founder of eSTRUXTURE Data centres (and, the face of one of our most popular Data Centre Magazine covers). 

                  Coleman’s industry success has made him a highly influential data centre thought leader, and his LinkedIn offers a great insight into eSTRUXTURE’s continual success.

                  5 Lauren Ryder 

                  Lauren Ryder is the CEO of Leading Edge Global, a strategic business transformation specialist, with expertise in the areas of technology implementation and virtual CXO. 

                  So, as you can imagine, Ryder’s LinkedIn is a fantastic example of industry thought leadership, spanning a huge range of topics. Her shared content includes everything from company insights to interview clips, and corporate culture guidance to advice for other women in STEM industries. 

                  6 Joshua Au 

                  Joshua Au currently works as the data centre lead for the A* agency for science, technology and research. Previously, he has also held the roles of Singapore Chapter Leader for the Infrastructure Masons, Hyperscale Infrastructure Track Chair for the NSCC Singapore, and been a judge at the Data Centre Dynamics Awards. 

                  Alongside his industry insights, Au also uses his LinkedIn to discuss sustainable initiatives at length. As such, his is a great account to follow, if you want to improve your company’s ESG standards. 

                  7 Susanna Kass

                  Susanna Kass’ extensive data centre accreditations include, but aren’t limited to, her status as an Energy Fellow at Stanford University, being the Co-Founder of InfraPrime, and acting as a Data Centre Advisor for the UNSDG Programme.

                  And, as with many of the industry pioneers on this list, Kass is a firm sustainability and carbon neutral advocate. She is a member of Climate 50, and is the Data Centre Advisor for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 

                  8 Amy Daniell

                  Based in London, Amy Daniell is the Senior Director of Hyperscale at NTT Global Data centres. She has also held Director-level positions at Microsoft, URS and AECOM. 

                  Daniell is a visiting lecturer at Bayes Business School, and is a regular speaker at DCD>Talks and DCD>Events, all of which she shares on her platform. 

                  9 Nabeel Mahmood 

                  Nabeel Mahmood is a Board Director for some of the largest names in the technology sector, including SCB Global and United Security Bank. 

                  He is also a popular keynote speaker, and his LinkedIn page is filled with industry news, alongside his insights on the topics. 

                  10 Phillip Koblence 

                  Phillip Koblence is the Co-Founder and current COO of NYI. Since founding the company in 1996, Koblence has grown the company from the operator of a single data centre in Lower Manhattan, to a key player in both national and international markets. 

                  With over 20 years of leadership and data centre management experience under his belt, Koblence’s LinkedIn is an invaluable page to be following.

                  5 Minutes with: Andy Davis

                  By Josephine Walbank at Data Centre Magazine

                  We spoke to Andy Davis, the host of Inside Data Centre Podcast, to find out what it’s like behind the scenes, and what inspired him to launch the show

                  There’s a popular notion that there’s a podcast out there for everyone. And, business podcasts don’t have to be limited to motivational speakers – in fact, you can hear actionable and specific advice from the world’s leading data centre experts, straight from the horse’s mouth. 

                  The growing audience of Inside Data Centre is a testament to the collective curiosity of the data centre community. And, as a medium, podcasts are a fantastic way to get to know the people behind the titles, and pick their brains, as if they were with you in person. 

                  Alongside his role as the Director of DataX ConnectAndy Davis is also the host of the highly successful Inside Data Centre Podcast. 

                  The podcast explores the latest big trends in the data centre industry, with industry giants across the world. And, with over 15 years of experience within the data centre sector, Davis is a host that knows exactly what questions listeners want the answers to. 

                  What inspired you to set up your podcast?

                  The main inspiration behind starting the Inside Data Centre Podcast was the need to increase the exposure of the data centre sector. 

                  As a recruiter in the data centre sector, I was regularly asked ‘where can you find information about working in the sector?’. There was basically no real source of information that shared the stories of those working in the sector. 

                  I also knew that many people in the sector had a great story to tell, so I created the platform for them to do it. I was conscious that the other data centre podcasts were very technical and the guests were largely CEO’s/leaders of data centre operators. So, I wanted to create a more conversational podcast that was open to anyone working in the sector.

                  What has been your highlight in this role?

                  I have had so many highlights across the 90+ episodes I have released over the two years. I genuinely enjoy every single conversation: I feel privileged to be able to speak with people across the world and to help inspire others to join us in the world of data centres. 

                  I can never pick out one guest, as each person has their own great story to share, so my main highlight would be creating a platform that helps discuss the topics in the sector that really need a platform, such as diversity, education, and talent. 

                  I also love receiving feedback from those that listen to the podcast. It’s great to receive a message saying that one of my conversations helped someone develop their career or start a new role in the sector. That is what keeps me motivated.

                  What is your point of difference as a data centre marketing platform – what gap in the market do you think the podcast genre fills? 

                  I think it is that the podcast is authentic. I am not a technical whizz by any stretch, and therefore, I have to ask questions that maybe other platforms wouldn’t cover. 

                  I want to ask the questions that the listeners want answered and to try and take the conversation down a different route to the normal data centre discussions. 

                  The data centre sector is perceived as one where you have to be technical or an engineer to be successful. I want to show listeners that this is so far from the truth, and that many people from all backgrounds can develop highly successful careers in our sector.

                  What data centre topics do you think are the most under/over-represented? 

                  I think topics like sustainability and power demand receive a lot of exposure (rightly so) as that is what is high on customers lists of demands. 

                  They want to know that operators are talking about how they can manage the sustainability challenge and, therefore, these topics are always in the media. 

                  It is the topics under the radar that I like to cover, such as diversity. We talk about it a lot within the industry, but what actually are we doing, and why is it important? 

                  Talent is another topic that always comes up on my podcast. I always have the objective to try and provide a solution to these challenges, rather than simply discussing the problem and leaving the solution for someone else to create. 

                  Young people are another topic that, I feel, is not discussed enough. If we really want to manage the long-term talent challenge, we need to attract more young people to the sector, and it is up to us to solve that challenge.

                  Where do you see the podcast heading in the next 5 years?

                  When I first started the podcast, I wasn’t sure it would last 5 episodes! 

                  It seems crazy that it is now two years since the first episode, and we are heading towards the 100th episode. 

                  All I would like to know is that the podcast is making a difference. And, as long as I can see it is making a difference, I will keep releasing the episodes. 

                  This is dependent on always having people to speak to, though. So, if anyone has a story to share please get in contact – I would love to talk data centres with you!

                  “Instead of focusing on the competition, focus on the customer.”​

                  “Instead of focusing on the competition, focus on the customer.” Scott Cook

                  When we formed DataX Connect it was all built upon a vision of wanting to provide something different, we didn’t want to be ‘just another recruitment company’.

                  In any service industry you have good and bad, and we all know that it tends to be the bad experiences that stand out more than the good. How could we create a company that is remembered for the positive experiences?

                  The answer was trust.

                  ‘Trust has to be the highest value in your company, and if it’s not, something bad is going to happen to you’. Marc Benioff

                  When I spoke with our customers about what they wanted from a recruitment company it all pointed back to honesty and trust. They didn’t want the bulls*it sales chat, they wanted the truth. They wanted to be educated, to be advised, to be collaborative, it was all about forming a genuine relationship and those relationships had to be built upon a foundation of trust.

                  It is great having the vision to build a business based on trust but how do you implement it?

                  You have to have a top down approach. If the leaders don’t believe in the vision then it will never be a success.

                  ‘Your words and deeds must match if you expect employees to trust in your leadership.’ – Kevin Kruse.

                  You have to recruit people that match your vision. Don’t look for people that you can mould to your vision, find people that share your values and your DNA. These people will be the ones that are fronting your vision to your customers.

                  You have to be relentless. A vision isn’t simply writing on the wall. It has to be engrained in your processes. Every action you make will be because of your vision.

                  How are we doing?

                  We are not the finished the article.

                  We seek to improve every day.

                  We learn every day.

                  But what I can say is that our business is built upon these foundations. The way we act, the way we operate, the decisions we make, they are all based on trust.

                  We advise our customers.

                  We are honest with our customers.

                  We refuse to accept bulls*it.

                  We trust our employees.

                  ‘If you don’t have trust inside your company, then you can’t transfer it to your customers.’ – Roger Staubach 

                  It isn’t about making the most money from our clients or getting our candidates the role that gives us the biggest fee. We want to be known as the company that provides the best service: a company that you can trust to make the right decisions for you.

                  We work with clients that match our values.

                  We find candidates the best opportunity for them.

                  And we are honest that we can’t help everyone.

                  When a customer calls me to say how great our service has been I know we are going in the right direction.

                  It may be a sales industry, but to be the best you need to provide an exceptional service.

                  ‘Being trustworthy requires: Doing the right thing. And doing things right.’ – Don Peppers. 

                  The journey continues..

                  Data Centre Dynamics talks with Andy Davis

                  As we all may know  by now, Andy Davis – Director of DataX Connect – has created a successful weekly podcast to showcase the data centre industry and what it’s like to work inside it. From time to time though, he can be seen (or heard) on other people’s podcasts and chats, sharing his knowledge and understanding of this growing industry. Data Centre Dynamics sat down with Andy to talk recruitment, in an engaging 20 minute video that can be watched here.

                  Maybe you are curious about the skills shortage, what the industry is looking for, and how to improve diversity and awareness. Or do you want to know what skills are easily transferrable, or if you’re already in the industry, hear what Andy wants the industry to be aware of. This is well worth a listen to in order to gain insight into data centres as Vlad and Andy discuss how he got into data centres and how others can do the same. There are a lot of opportunities available but making people aware of these is one of the major challenges being faced at the moment, with a new push towards making sure more people know just what is out there.

                  Following the talk, DCPro created a blog to highlight the skills shortage, using Andy’s insider knowledge to see its effects on the Data Centre Industry. An interesting read that can be found here, giving you a more in depth viewpoint of the jobs, skills, and expectations of businesses. Knowing how the sector is run and what companies are doing to grow and retain a vital workforce shows the flourishing opportunities that are being provided; helping you to visualise a rewarding career.

                  There are a lot of job roles available and looking to hire the right candidates, and our wonderful DataX team can connect you with the right employer and the chance to start on a successful career path. With international connections and clients searching for their ideal fit, it could be you working in a constantly expanding industry which we rely on more and more.

                  Our trusted recruitment agency is filled with a very experienced and friendly team that are ready to start you on your journey. Learn more about data centres or expand your current experience with our range of positions that want filling. Call the team on 01489888499 (UK) or visit the website to find more ways of contacting us!

                  Focusing on SpaceDC Q1 2022

                  On March 9th 2022, we were joined by Jeffrey Tay, Executive Vice President Strategic Partnerships at SpaceDC, who shared a news update on their activity across the APAC region. 

                  Tell us about SpaceDC’s recent announcement, the new 72 megawatt data centre in Manila which will be the Philippines’ largest hyperscale data centre campus.  

                  “The Philippines is prone to volcanic eruptions, and this piece of property that we managed to secure is just off the earthquake zone. We’re building the first green data centre in the Philippines, just like we did in Indonesia, only this time around, we’re using geo-thermal energy by working with a local renewable energy company, and it’ll have a power usage effectiveness (PUE) of 1.3 . Three buildings, each four storeys high.” 

                  What motivated you to go into the region in such a big way?  

                  “Yes, over the past four to five years, we’ve been within the top three providers in the market. We had a vision that made us want to develop in the region desperately. Southeast Asia is a growing population, and this, coupled with the trends in mobility data and observing where the cloud companies are going, we believe the Philippines is going to be the next big one given the country itself is really fibre rich. We’re close to a lot of telecom exchanges, so we’re very happy we managed to secure the location.” 

                  How have you had to adapt the facility to achieve your organization’s sustainability and ESG targets?  

                  “As an organization, we strongly believe we need to do our part for the planet. And, as you know, data centres consume a fair bit of power. So, we want to be as environmentally friendly as possible. It’s not just about using renewable energy, we’re also factoring the environmental aspect into the design of the data centre and the partners we collaborate with. There’s also a moratorium in Singapore, whereby the ESG must be factored into the design, and buildings need to be platinum certified in the Green Bay area, for example. So, we are doing all we can, from the design to the operations, to ensure we maintain the data centre in a green way.”  

                  Will you be exploring any other regions?  

                  “Yes, we will be announcing various partnerships in China. It’s not an easy market, but we do see a lot of opportunity, especially because there is a lot of activity from financial institutions. Goldman Sachs reported there’s a lot of potential for growth revenue space, and we think there’s a lot of potential in China in terms of DC deals.” 

                  You would need to adapt the design of your data centres to the Chinese market. Are you confident you’ll be able to do that?  

                  “Yes, they have their institutional guidelines, but there are a lot of similarities. So, yes, from a design perspective, we will need to be approved. But more importantly, there’s a significant learning curve when it comes to their commercial model. The market has predominantly been dominated by teleco companies, and this is a behavioural pattern that end users are used to. So, that’s a big reason for our partnership, they’re going to help us mediate and be a liaison.” 

                  Do you have any predictions for the datacentre sector for 2022?  

                  “I think Singapore is a key market to watch. Next is the Philippines, of course, and Thailand I think will be a fast-growing market. And I think growth will depend on various parameters like ESG energy, constraints of land, that will define the players that lead the game.” 

                  Listen to the full episode of Inside The Data Centre here. 

                  When the best time to look for a new opportunity is – December vs January

                  Tomorrow marks the 1st of December which means we’re officially coming towards the end of another weird and wonderful 12 months, as 2021 rather hastily draws to a close.

                  I’ve always thought of this time of year to be one of the best times to look at the options for a new position – in terms of the market, personal reflection, and planning for the next 12 months ahead (and beyond) – and whilst some will be thinking about whether to bite the bullet & do something about it now, others will prefer to wait until January.

                  If moving jobs is something you’re considering exploring in the near future but don’t know when to put the wheels in motion, I’ve put together some thoughts on the different reasons for looking at the end of this year vs the start of next…

                  PROS & CONS OF LOOKING NOW

                  ✔ It’s a candidate market – people are getting multiple interviews and gaining multiple offers

                  Having CHOICE and being able to look into the detail of what the company offers, what your role will entail, the opportunities for you to progress, how the package stacks up and what the environment you’ll be working in will be like, allows you to consider various options and pick the one you think is best for you.

                   ✔ Remuneration & packages are at an all-time high

                  Engineers in Building Services Design / Data Centres are increasing their basic salary by an average of 15-30% by moving jobs at the moment.

                   Not only that, what companies are offering as total compensation is improving, how much ‘richer’ could you be with added benefits of a bonus scheme, car allowance, better pension contributions, private healthcare, tailored working from home options – be it fully remote, 1 day in 4 days WFH, 5 days in the office, an even split – whatever suits you can likely be accommodated somewhere.

                    ✔ Good companies are putting together their plans for the New Year, now.

                  You stay ahead of the game, or you fall behind it. Well run companies are strategic and their recruitment plans are around growth, rather than back-filling a vacancy after someone has handed their notice in in January. Do you want to be joining the ambitious company who have identified a need for you, and will have a plan for how you will develop with them, or do you want to be lured into one that has just had an unexpected tender win that they suddenly don’t have enough resource for, so are looking for a ‘doer’ to fill a gap. 

                  ✖ Too many plates to spin right now

                  I’ll be honest, as much as I love December, it’s a bloody stressful time of year.

                  I’m currently trying to find a fancy-dress outfit, a work Christmas party outfit, another outfit for a Christmas ball, I’ve been trying to buy everyone’s Christmas presents whilst they’re still in the Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales AND it’s still one of the busiest periods of the year for recruitment.

                  I don’t blame you if you’re struggling to find time to juggle updating your CV alongside your end of year workload, present buying, present wrapping, nights out, catching up with friends, Winter Wonderland, and drinking copious amounts of hot chocolate and/or mulled wine every weekend…

                  I feel ya.

                  ✖ Don’t know where to start

                  It’s daunting. Especially on top of all of the above.

                  Looking for a new job, particularly if it’s something you’ve either never done or not done for a while, can be scary. You don’t know who to speak to, what to expect, who to trust or whether you will be able to find something that ticks the right boxes.

                  As recruiters, we should be able to give you some good insight into the market, so hopefully this isn’t something you should really have to worry about. You just need to have that initial conversation to open things up.

                  ✖ Things might get better where I am after my EOY review

                  If they’re any good, your current employer will be making/have made plans for 2022. Maybe your role will change, you’ll get that promotion you’ve been waiting for, you’ll get the pay-rise, or at least you’ll have the chance to speak up about what’s concerning you…

                  PROS & CONS OF LOOKING IN JANUARY

                   ✔ New year, new me

                   ✔ ‘More’ companies will be hiring (really?!)

                   ✔ Take a step back, away from the pressures of your every day and reflect on what you really want to achieve from moving companies

                   ✔ Take your time updating your CV over the Christmas break

                   ✔ Hiring Managers are back from annual leave

                   ✔ Still get your December bonus*

                   *if you don’t have to pay it back if you leave within x amount of months

                   ✖ Increased candidate competition – more people will use January to look for a new role if it’s something they’re thinking of

                   ✖ You’re more likely to sit and ‘wait it out’ where you are currently despite not being happy

                   ✖ Time waits for no man/woman – that company that would be PERFECT for you might be hiring now. If you don’t know about it or explore it now, the opportunity may not be around in January

                  So December vs January job hunting…

                  The result?

                  There’s no one size fits all and it will depend on you and your own personal situation.

                  But whichever you think is best and whenever you feel is right for you, let’s start speaking so you know what your options are and can feel confident and prepared in how to approach your search when the time comes.

                  Drop me a message, email your CV to [email protected] or give me a call on 01489888499.

                  Addressing the Data Centre talent shortage. Are we doing enough?

                  By far and away the question I get asked the most by our customers (client and candidate) is “How’s the market looking for engineers?”. Sounds like an innocuous question, right? This is what I usually thought too. But after being asked this question and then having the same conversation with a dozen hiring managers just this week so far it made me stop and actually think about it.

                  The facts are pretty clear. The market is busier than it ever has been before. I could name you 10+ companies that are looking for engineers right now. I could also name you several projects where new sites are under construction and talent attraction plans are being built out. But one thing that is becoming more and more apparent is the pool of good quality engineers is getting smaller and of that pool less and less are wanting to move.

                  Don’t just take my word for it. The Uptime Institute released their first global staffing report earlier this year: ‘The people challenge: Global data center staffing forecast 2021-2025’. The report highlighted the challenges we face over the next five years (link at the end of the article) and came to the same conclusion that growth will reach all-time highs and that the current pool of engineers is nowhere near enough to accommodate.

                  In another article from DCD’s Graeme Burton (link at the end of the article), he summed up nicely our current state with the “Age-Old problem” within the industry where “veterans are retiring but who is going to replace them?”.

                  The more important question for me and the people I speak to is, “Are we, as an industry, doing enough to solve this problem?” 

                  In my experience so far, the industry is massively disjointed in its approach. Some companies are trying some good initiatives but I’m a firm believer that we could be doing so much more.

                  Related industries

                  We have seen with the recent pandemic a real change in the visibility of Data Centres. All of a sudden, these secret hidden-away buildings have become big news and as more and more people hear of the industry, we have a great opportunity to bring high quality engineers over from other related industries such as, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, production, aviation & ex-forces engineers all have heavily transferrable skills. We are beginning to see more of these engineers take up roles within the DC market but there is still a block with a number of companies who struggle to come to terms with the idea they made need to hire someone without direct Data Centre experience. We need to open up our thinking and work on way to attract and then retain these engineers. They will be the ones who can most quickly replace the current crop of experienced and nearing retirement engineers.

                  Attracting the next generation

                  This is an area that up until recently was practically impossible to do when the market was so secretive and so hidden. We are seeing some of the particularly large companies offering courses or qualifications for younger people or apprenticeship and graduate programmes being rolled out. But it is so sporadic across the industry. We have a real opportunity now to grasp the attention of the younger generation. Data Centres are more prominent in young people’s lives with the explosion of social media, popularity of green initiatives (such as electric cars) and even online gaming all fully dependant on Data Centres to store their Data. Now is the time to educate and open the industry up to the next generation. Every single company should already be thinking about and implementing strategies in this area so we can ensure that longer term things will be secure.

                  Diversity & inclusion

                  There is very much still that macho construction feel about the Data Centre sector. The industry is historically heavily dominated by white males (like me!) and more has to be done to change that perception and attract people of all genders and backgrounds. This is not something that can be fixed quickly, perceptions take time to change but companies must act now to ensure that their culture is an appropriately open one. Longer term the focus has to be on educating our youngsters on the industry and demonstrating that all are welcome and will have the same opportunities regardless of sex, ethnicity or background. There are some companies leading the way here but again more can still be done to diversify our workforce and open it up to as many people as possible, while importantly not excluding and discriminating against those already within it. 

                  We can do more…

                  I am firmly of the belief that more can be done to help. In the short term with clients thinking more outside of the box and being more flexible with their requirements. In the medium term with an adjusting of company culture to feel more welcoming and inclusive. And finally in the long term with education and outreach programmes to attract the engineers of tomorrow. 

                  It’s possible but only if we all pull together. In the words of my colleague, Sam Denham (stolen from Nigel Adkins, ex-Southampton FC manager), “Together as One”.

                  You can download the Uptime Institute report here – https://link.uptimeinstitute.com/jBrI0225R005B0o0AZ80n00

                  You can read the DCD report here – https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/marketwatch/data-center-builders-facing-age-old-problem-retirement-youth-recruitment/

                  Written by Ben Palmer, Sector Lead FM & Operations

                  Contact him Here