Vertiv states that this is both a positive and a challenge for Spain. On the positive side, this sector is expected to have a 3.9% impact on GDP, equivalent to approximately €60 billion, according to figures provided by the Spain DC report. The Community of Madrid is working to become the digital hub of Southern Europe, while other cities such as Barcelona, ​​Bilbao, Valencia, and A Coruña continue to attract an increasing number of data centers.

However, with this growth comes the need for talent to ensure the proper functioning of these essential infrastructures for our digital lifestyle, and this is where a major challenge arises. Without professionals and talent, this growth is not possible.

According to Spain DC, the Spanish Data Center Association, which represents data center operators and data center technology providers like Vertiv, 2,000 positions will need to be filled in Spain alone by 2026. The Uptime Institute, a leading organization focused on improving performance and increasing the efficiency and reliability of critical business infrastructure, forecasts that the number of professionals needed to operate data center facilities worldwide will reach 2.3 million by 2025.

If finding talent to fill existing positions is currently difficult, this need will only increase in the future. Data centers require technical service professionals, but also experts in project management, sales, cybersecurity and information security, software development, energy efficiency, and other roles.

Despite being a sector that offers ample opportunities for development and growth, professional stability and a long career path, it remains largely unknown to young people.

The causes of the talent shortage in the sector

José Alfonso, sales director for services in the southern region, has analyzed the factors that may be causing the shortage of candidates for data center positions, noting that systems and technologies have evolved rapidly, increasing data and computing capacity, security requirements, and criticality. This has led to a significant increase in the complexity of planning and managing data center resources, thus requiring highly qualified personnel to perform these tasks.

"We are seeing a significant talent shortage in positions related to the planning, installation, operation, and maintenance of IT and communications infrastructure," says José Alfonso. "These are positions that require training and talent, as they are demanding, but also incredibly rewarding."

In addition to attracting and retaining a more diverse team, Alfonso states that Vertiv believes it is essential for companies to consider hiring individuals from outside the data center sector who are familiar with critical industries such as pharmaceuticals and petrochemicals. These candidates may possess similar skills to data center professionals due to their experience working in a mission-critical environment and will be able to apply their knowledge and experience to an entirely new industry emerging from data centers. Business leaders must demonstrate their support for these candidates and highlight the immense value they can bring to the industry.

Furthermore, the industry needs greater diversity to achieve long-term success. Last year, the Uptime Institute published a report on privately held data centers revealing that 25% of executives surveyed had no women on their design or operations staff, and only 5% reported that women comprised 50% or more of their workforce. This lack of diversity further narrows the pool of potential female candidates, limiting the appeal for women to pursue a career in a male-dominated industry that offers limited opportunities for advancement.

"In this sector, it is essential to continue promoting STEM studies and careers. For this reason, in the last two years Vertiv has held the "Summer STEM Camp" to attract young talent, and we also promote various initiatives to support women in STEM," Alfonso pointed out.

In addition, Vertiv is working on initiatives such as the Vertiv Next Generation Program, with the Spanish team participating in this rotating program for the development of recent graduates in the pre-sales area (application engineering) since the fourth quarter of 2023. The company continues to collaborate with local universities to offer interested and qualified candidates internships that allow them to experience many facets of the data center industry in the real world. Vertiv is also sponsoring an early education initiative to share practical knowledge about data centers with high school students, in collaboration with JASON Learning and iMasons.

According to Jose Alfonso, "change begins with a better understanding of the data center sector, its importance, and how it drives the technological solutions that govern everyday life. If there's one thing we can be sure of, it's that changes are happening at breakneck speed, and we'll have to adopt a new approach to attract and retain diverse talent in the future."