To provide free educational and training opportunities for the upcoming generation of digital and technical talent, JLL and the Nomad Futurist Foundation have partnered to enhance access to the data center sector. This strategic partnership aims to provide participants with the knowledge and abilities needed to start a career in the data center industry.
Nomad Futurist Foundation is a non-profit organization that was founded to demystify the world of digital infrastructure and the related technologies it requires.
JLL’s Operational and Professional Development experts have developed a curriculum to train and maintain JLL’s data center technical staff. This extensive training program would maintain JLL technicians at the forefront of digital infrastructure facility management. It consists of more than 80 modules covering energy management, critical environment procedures, maintenance operations, and health and safety disciplines.
JLL is now working to develop a comprehensive, 16-hour curriculum from these courses free of charge for Nomad Futurist Foundation participants globally who meet specific criteria.
According to Sanjay Rishi, CEO at JLL Work Dynamics for the Americas, “Data centers are not only a foundational part of how our society functions but also a catalyst for fueling innovation that benefits industries and communities across the globe in today’s world of accelerating technology needs. It is anticipated that the need for talent and capacity to manage this vital infrastructure will increase exponentially, and JLL is dedicated to providing the next generation of data center operators with the necessary skills to be a part of one of the fastest-growing and highest-paying industries.”
Cultivating Talent and Professional Development
According to JLL’s Global Data Centers 2024 Outlook, the need for cloud services, artificial intelligence (AI), and the growing use of web-enabled gadgets are driving the data center industry’s rapid expansion. Particular skill sets would be needed to build and staff the high-tech data center industry, and as the sector grows, so do the job requirements.
One of the main issues facing the data center sector is a shortage of available personnel. The data center industry has a restricted number of new recruits because of limited awareness of the skills and job kinds required, which exacerbates the issue of an aging workforce.
“Almost 39 GW of data center space is currently being built globally, and it’s getting harder and harder to find and keep qualified talent with the processes to deliver on day one, especially from investor clients,” said Matt Landek, Managing Director, Data Center & Telecom, JLL Work Dynamics. “JLL fervently believes in developing new talent and fostering professional growth. For this reason, we are expanding the training to include participants in the Nomad Futurist Foundation and providing technical training for our workforce across various job roles.”
The JLL Technical Development Program (TDP) will be offered online or through in-person classroom sessions, with a primary focus on high school students and those without adequate resources. Curated by Bryon Price, Senior Director – Technical Training, Operational and Professional Development, and his team at JLL, this dynamic educational program would integrate a practical exercise that mimics real-world scenarios in data center operations and maintenance. It is a multifaceted approach. After completing the program successfully, students will be equipped to enter the workplace and begin working in entry-level positions as maintenance technicians or data center operators.
“It is essential for our sustainability and resilience in this industry that we bring together our organizations to collaborate on the impending ‘age-out’ crisis that will soon arrive,” said Mark Gusakov, Nomad Futurist’s Governance Chairman and member of the Advisory Board. “The Nomad Futurist Foundation is just getting started, but our mission is to create the connective tissue that unites all companies in the digital infrastructure ecosystem. We not only demystify the shared knowledge platform for up-and-coming talent in our sector as we construct and grow a strong platform, but we also offer programs, scholarships, internship, and apprenticeship opportunities to make the information easily available to everyone.”
The JLL Technical Development Program consists of four modules, each of which is designed to address a certain important position: operator, chief engineer, facilities manager, or senior facilities manager. All of these positions would receive careful consideration to guarantee that important technical aspects are fully understood and that each certified individual has a high level of ability and competency in their field. The program should be accessible worldwide as early as this year, according to JLL and the Nomad Futurist Foundation.
