With a talent shortage in the data centre space, Schneider Electric’s global supply chain SVP secure power, Joe Craparotta, lists five principles managers can adopt for their business.

A universal conversation is taking place in businesses across all industries about how to combat an unprecedented talent shortage. The COVID-19 pandemic initiated record-breaking numbers of individuals quitting their jobs, which is being referred to as The Great Resignation or, less commonly, The Great Re-Evaluation. This mass departure, paired with the anticipated influx in retirement numbers, is continuing to shrink today’s already strained talent pool, putting increased pressure on data centres and leaving enterprises of all sizes scrambling to recruit, upskill and retain the best employees.

In Australia and New Zealand, the data centre is on a growth trajectory. On one hand, the high population of end users/consumers seeking low latency and bigger storage and computing ability are driving the growth of data centres. In New Zealand, the increasing focus on sustainability is fuelling the demand for greener data centres.

According to an Uptime Institute report, keeping the world’s data centres operational will require the industry to add at least 300,000 skilled workers by 2025. Employees are re-evaluating what is most important to them when it comes to work, life and the balance of both. A surplus of open positions waiting to be filled leaves job seekers with ample opportunity to re-negotiate with their current employers or make the decision to make a career change.

To retain top talent in a jobseeker’s market, employers need to collect employee and candidate feedback to adjust based on the ever-changing needs and wants of today’s workers. Here are five ways companies can begin to evolve with today’s talent and combat data centre talent shortage:

1. Capturing the next generation via education

Exacerbated by an ageing workforce, there is no question that young talent is needed to sustain the future of data centres. But the first step is getting this generation to see a career in data centres as a viable and fulfilling option. That starts with training and inspiring at a young age – whether via internships or STEM programs.

2. Focusing on transferable skills

The pace of change in the industry is relentless. New technologies, such as data centre automation, mean there is an ongoing need for skills that can transfer into this new way of working. Adjusting qualifications to job listings could be the first move towards driving a more abundant talent pool for data centre operators. This includes adjusting data centre job requirements to allow for alternatives to a college degree or certification from a technical trade school.

3. Promoting diversity and inclusion in the industry

Currently, women represent approximately 5% of data centre staff. By actively recruiting under-represented populations, companies can diversify what has been traditionally an extremely homogeneous workforce. Not only does this result in increased innovation and creativity, but also helps address today’s most pressing societal challenges.

4. Utilising software and services to redeploy talent

Taking advantage of DCIM software for remote monitoring, management and maintenance reduces the number of physical bodies needed in the data centre, for more efficient operations. These technologies also allow people to upskill by freeing up time for training.

5. Leaning on technology partners

Rely on Managed Services Providers to bridge the gap in in-house capabilities. Bringing in partners may offer services that essentially make them an extension of an organisation. With common goals and values, the two can work together to bring the highest value to current customers, while ensuring no one has to say no to new business.

Attracting and retaining top data centre talent starts with the employee experience.

Data centre technology is the powerhouse supporting the global economy, and employers in the industry can’t afford to lose talent. It’s time for employers to craft a thoughtful, employee-centric strategy for recruitment and retention to keep data centres secure, efficient, scalable and staffed. That means offering enhanced learning and development opportunities, venturing outside the typical job description for hires, promoting diversity and inclusion in the industry, and leveraging the latest and greatest technology to elevate the employee experience at all stages of the employee lifecycle.

When The Great Resignation is considered from a bird’s-eye view, the overarching theme is evolution. Employees and job seekers want to be at a great place to work, and that means employers must pivot to satisfy the needs and wants of the workforce, both today and tomorrow. What workers expect from companies right now will differ in years to come, and the only way to recruit and retain top talent sustainably is to understand these shifts and adjust accordingly.