How To Develop Net-New Tech Talent At Scale For Data Centers

Staffing challenges remain one of the top concerns in the data center industry.

According to Uptime Institute’s 14th annual Global Data Center Survey, 71 percent of respondents, including enterprise companies and colocation providers, cited a lack of qualified staff as a major issue.

Rising energy prices, inflation, and growing demand for data center services have exacerbated the problem, placing pressure on operators to balance costs while addressing staff shortages. As a result, staffing challenges rank just behind cost concerns, highlighting the critical need for skilled talent in managing and operating data centers effectively.

Solutions have been brought to the table across the industry to address this challenge, ranging from enhancing internal training programs to partnerships with community colleges.

Among these solutions, one model stands out as a practical and sustainable approach. This model focuses on creating net-new tech talent by custom training talent specifically for the environment and systems that data centers depend on right now. This custom-trained talent can then be deployed at scale, and to the locations required.

That’s the essence of the Hire-Train-Deploy (HTD) company model.

What is the Hire-Train-Deploy model?

HTD starts with a meritocracy.

Instead of focusing on experience or education, HTD adopts a skills-first hiring approach, selecting individuals based on their aptitude for technical environments instead of their education or credentials. This method opens the door to a more socioeconomically diverse talent pool and removes the need to compete for specialized talent in the marketplace. In taking this approach, we tap into an entirely new group of candidates who can be custom-trained to meet the specific needs of data centers right now.

HTD custom training goes beyond theory, providing foundational skills, knowledge, and on-site visits to reinforce the knowledge gained. Finally, Technicians & Engineers are deployed to data centers, entering as capable team members, quickly adding to operational efficiency from day one.

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How does the HTD model deliver high-performing technicians and engineers for data centers?

Here’s how Smoothstack delivers our HTD program for data centers:

1. Hire
   We recruit highly capable, aspiring technicians and engineers who are early in their careers, focusing on their potential to work in data center environments. With a rigorous screening process, we identify candidates who demonstrate strong problem-solving skills and technical aptitude in areas like electrical, mechanical, plumbing/fire protection, and many more.
2. Train
   Our training curricula are customized to the needs of the data center industry. Current skills development includes HVAC, fire systems, MOP writing and execution, maintenance skills, compliance regulations acumen, specialized equipment proficiency, and physical security measures.
   In our eight-week Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship (RAP) training program, candidates gain specific training and knowledge with the systems they’ll be managing in the field.
   Before their training concludes, trainees meet with the client, tour the data center, and showcase their skills. This interaction not only allows trainees to demonstrate their capabilities but also helps ensure they are culturally integrated into the client’s team. By engaging with the client early, trainees gain valuable insight into the company’s values and work environment, fostering a smoother transition when they join full-time.
3. Deploy
   Upon completing the program, engineers are now known, vetted, and most importantly arriving with the skills and knowledge to be successful.

The benefits of a Hire-Train-Deploy program for data centers

• Access to net-new tech talent: As the demand for data center talent grows, competition for skilled professionals is fierce. HTD helps data centers develop a pipeline of new talent custom-trained for their specific needs.
• Scale hiring to meet operational demands: Data center operations are dynamic, with new technologies like edge computing and AI creating shifting needs. HTD enables you to scale your hiring efforts, training engineers specifically for the platforms and tools your center needs today and in the future.
• Build and sustain your in-house technical talent: Hiring staff tailored to your operational needs ensures better performance and long-term retention. HTD integrates this approach into your talent strategy, building a workforce capable of adapting to the evolving challenges of the data center industry.

Is HTD right for your data center?

Hire-Train-Deploy is a proven method for building qualified talent for the unique demands of data center operations. Whether you’re managing colocation facilities, edge computing networks, or large-scale data centers, HTD can supplement or replace traditional hiring models. It’s an ideal fit for companies looking to develop a steady stream of technical talent to drive growth and operational efficiency.