The data centre sector is experiencing remarkable growth, fuelled by the ever-increasing demand for cloud services and artificial intelligence. However, this expansion is hindered somewhat by a shortage of talent. The shortage is causing challenges not only for data centre professionals but also for employers and the industry as a whole.

Data is crucial to shaping the future and we need the right talent to tackle humanity’s most complex challenges. We genuinely want to help tackle these challenges by working together with companies and partnerships to highlight the ways they can help as well as coming up with new practical solutions. 

Some of the ways we help data centre companies build a pipeline of future talent directly are: 

• Leading by example, showing our clients that Platinum membership in the 5% Club is possible as a company in the data centre industry
• Participating in initiatives such as the Digital Futures Programme, a programme to give 14–19-year-olds exposure to the data centre sector from a young age
• Showcasing the great work done by other companies in launching their own future talent initiatives, such as The AVK Academy, a new training hub for data centre engineers 

5% Club Platinum Membership Award

We’re thrilled that we’ve been awarded Platinum accredited membership as part of The 5% Club’s esteemed 2024-25 Employer Audit Scheme. This accolade highlights our unwavering commitment to empowering our employees through “earn and learn” initiatives such as Apprenticeships, Graduate Schemes, and Sponsored Student Placements. 

Achieving Platinum status is something we are very proud of. We have aways been passionate about the importance of continual learning and development. We also want to encourage the businesses we work with the consider investing in the development of the next generation of talent.

By being part of The 5% Club, we proudly stand alongside over 1,100 forward-thinking employers who are dedicated to driving positive change. The 5% Club represents a powerful movement of companies working together to make workplace training more inclusive, diverse, and accessible. Collectively, members support 1.9 million employees, with more than 108,000 individuals participating in “earn and learn” schemes. The Employer Audit rigorously assesses our efforts, future ambitions, and commitment to social mobility, diversity, and inclusion, further strengthening our mission. 

Mark Cameron OBE, Chief Executive at The 5% Club, commented:  

“We are incredibly proud of the outstanding employers, like DataX Connect, who have gone above and beyond to invest in the future of their workforce through a diverse range of ‘earn and learn’ initiatives. Their dedication, especially during these challenging times, deserves to be celebrated. By achieving Platinum membership, DataX Connect has shown an exceptional commitment to shaping the skills of tomorrow, contributing not only to their business but to the wider economy.” 

Gill Cronin, Director of Operations at The 5% Club, added: 

“It is inspiring to witness the dedication and passion our members bring to providing meaningful career development opportunities. DataX Connect’s Platinum membership highlights their leadership in creating impactful learning environments that prioritises inclusion and diversity. As we see 20% of our members reaching these prestigious tiers, it’s a true reflection of how companies like DataX Connect are laying the groundwork for the future talent pipeline.” 

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