Data Centre Training & Certification Programs

Uptime Institute adds sustainability track to educational training offering

The Uptime Institute has announced another addition to its growing educational offering with the launch of its new Accredited Sustainability Advisor (ASA) programme. The ASA course is designed to deliver essential knowledge of sustainability concepts and the practical skills data centre professionals need to develop and implement a comprehensive, world-class sustainability strategy. More than 70 countries have established commitments to achieve net zero greenhouse gas by 2050. New regulations are proliferating worldwide, with hundreds of pieces of climate change and sustainability legislation, standards and requirements enacted over the past 10 years. As demand for senior-level data centre professionals and IT/facility engineers with advanced sustainability expertise continues to rise, sustainability skillsets have never been more valuable or impactful. The ASA course cuts through the mounting volume of information and opinion around sustainability programs and offers insight on global best practices. The ASA curriculum covers: •       Session 1—Sustainability policy and management •       Session 2—Regulatory requirements •       Session 3—Facility siting, design, and certification •       Session 4—Facility energy consumption and efficiency •       Session 5—IT energy consumption and efficiency •       Session 6—Renewable energy purchasing and consumption •       Session 7—Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions •       Session 8—Water consumption and efficiency •       Session 9—Circular economy, recycle, and reuse •       Session 10—Information reporting •       Session 11—Sustainability strategy in the organisation The first online instructor-led, ASA course begins on May 23rd and includes four half-day sessions of intensive instruction and exercises, ending with a proctored examination on the fifth day. For further information and a list of course dates, refer to the course calendar. Uptime also offers private course options for companies that wish to create exclusive corporate learning and development programs for ongoing employee education. “With the growing effects of climate change on health, safety and global economies, world-class digital infrastructure owners and operators require hands-on, practical training to build a comprehensive and fully actionable sustainability strategy,” says Christopher M. Hill, Global Head, Product Management, Uptime Institute. “Our course ensures participants graduate with the skills necessary to lead their organisations in achieving sustainability objectives, both now and into the future.” Uptime’s longstanding leadership in digital infrastructure sustainability and efficiency dates back to its inaugural Green Data Centre Forum in 2007. The launch of the new ASA course represents yet another step in the organisation’s expanding program to inform, guide and support sustainability advancements throughout the sector. Through its new sustainability educational training, Sustainability Consulting Services and related offerings, Uptime advises some of the world’s largest digital infrastructure owners and operators, many vendors and equipment manufacturers, regulators, and policymakers to help the industry design, build and operate digital infrastructure sustainably—without compromising resiliency.

Cyber Executive Education Course to upskill business leaders

As cyber attacks on organisations continue to make headlines around the world, the Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC) is encouraging CEOs and directors throughout the UK to take an active role in protecting their organisations’ cyber assets. Its Cyber Executive Education Course – which will be delivered for the first time in person – is set to take place in Edinburgh on 5-6 May 2022. Ciaran Martin, Professor of Practice in the Management of Public Organisations at the University of Oxford and former CEO of the National Cyber Security Centre, designed the two-day course to raise awareness that mitigating cyber security is no longer the sole responsibility of the Chief Information Security Officer. The course first ran in 2021 online to 150 Scottish business leaders. Professor Martin says: “Cyber security and managing cyber risk doesn’t get many people out of bed but a major cyber incident can really impact your organisation. Despite all the hype cyber risks can be managed effectively. This course will help you think about your organisation by bringing together your computer security along with compelling real-world examples. It will equip you and your team with the tools and the way of thinking you need to allow you to get on with your mission with confidence. Taught with a blended approach of technical and academic experiments, the sessions will feature contributions from industry leaders and cover dealing with major threats and incidents.” The course will be delivered via lectures, interactive discussions, and case studies. The sessions will cover a range of topics including: the role non-tech leaders play in cyber security management; actionable ideas to increase cyber resilience; and enabling informed conversations with your technology teams. Jude McCorry, CEO of SBRC, notes: “Given the potentially devastating impact of a cyber incident, it is vital for all business leaders to take an active role in reducing the risk of cyber attacks on their organisations, and not leave the responsibility to their security officers. Recognising that attendees are unlikely to have in-depth technical knowledge, we have incorporated an element of ‘cyber demystification’ to keep the course accessible for everyone. “The course has so far been successfully delivered online exclusively to Scottish business leaders, but as cyber security isn’t just a Scottish concern, we are opening the course to executives in the public and private sectors throughout the UK. We are also looking forward to welcoming everyone in person; active participation is a vital part of the course, and the face-to-face element will increase the level of engagement for attendees.”

Joshua Austin raises the bar

If ever there were proof that investing in young engineers is the route to future success it is Joshua Austin from global associates who has just been appointed as the new Service Manager for the Global Associates. Joshua was one of the first apprentices to join the company’s global training academy in 2015 and since then has embraced every aspect of the business and matured into an outstanding engineer with a passion for the building controls industry. Over the past 12 months he undertook the role of Key Accounts Service Engineer where he continued to build client relationships whilst dedicating time not only to his own continued training but also to supporting other apprentices within the business. Paul Wetherfield, CEO of Global Associates says: “Joshua is undoubtedly a success story for our company. Everyone has an obligation to the industry in which they work to leave a legacy of new talent which is greater than when we started. This led us to create the global academy which enables us to support and develop the next generation of building controls talent. “Joshua was one of the very first apprentices to join the academy and since then his enthusiasm and willingness to embrace every aspect of his role has seen him work his way up within the company. I am therefore delighted to announce his promotion to the position of Service Manager which he has rightfully earned through hard work and his continued desire to train and develop within his role.” Joshua comments: “I am delighted to have been selected to take on the role of Service Manager and am grateful for the recognition and opportunity to play such a pivotal role within the department and company as a whole. “I started as an apprentice at global associates and the training and support which I have received has been second to none. The apprenticeship has been a fantastic start to my career and I know that I can make a difference in my new role with the dedication and determination I have always had since starting my career. I am also looking forward to sharing the knowledge I have gained with the apprentices who have recently joined the global academy and helping them to develop their own careers in the industry.” The global academy provides market leading apprenticeships and training as a means to cultivate and develop home grown talent who will become the next generation of building controls engineers. Since launching the global academy the company has continued to invest in new talent and today, 37% of the engineers at global associates are employees who joined as apprentices.

New certified data centre project management program launched

CNet Training has announced the launch of a new program for prospective learners seeking to employ their knowledge and skills within the data centre project environment. The new five-day Certified Data Centre Project Management (CDCPM) is a qualification level 5 program that teaches how to establish a robust project baseline and a comprehensive plan for a complex, high value data centre expansion project that demonstrates an accurate interpretation of the project scope and focuses on delivering project success in support of business strategy.   Delivered by one of CNet’s expert instructors in a classroom or via remote attendance, the program is designed for either project managers seeking to employ their knowledge and skills within the data centre project environment or those already working in a data centre looking to develop as a project manager. With a focus on a ‘concept to closure’ theme, the CDCPM program tailors project management tools to the unique requirements of a critical infrastructure project. It examines the tools and evaluation techniques that determine the success of the project. The creation of the program was driven by a combination of the requirements of CNet’s customers and the exponential demand for data processing and storage, allied to the need to bring services closer to the customer (the edge), recognising the need for sector specific project management, whilst acknowledging that the pressure to deliver additional data centre facilities can be a constant challenge for both owners and operators. Highly skilled and dedicated project managers provide the confidence that enables the extension, build and renovation of facilities that contribute to the expansion of the data centre footprint. Successful completion of the CDCPM awards an internationally recognised BTEC Level 5 Award Certified Data Centre Project Management, in addition to official CDCPM certification, the use of a post nominal title and a digital badge.   CNet’s Head of Technical Development, Paul Gorman, adds, “My aim in creating this program is to provide a blended learning experience that considers the attributes of the project manager to be as important as the tools and processes available to them. Structured theory content that will seek to stimulate learners as they progress through the program.”