Paving the Way for the Next Generation of Data Center Leaders

In a recent interview, Angela Capon, Vice President of Marketing at EdgeConneX, spoke to Matt Vincent, Editor-in-Chief of Data Center Frontier, about the company’s collaboration with the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Program. This program that helps young people identify their passions, regardless of background, culture or access to resources.  EdgeConneX is partnering with the program to create an educational module that will help address the growing talent gap in digital infrastructure, AI and cloud technology.

Matt Vincent:

Can you tell us about the inspiration behind EdgeConneX’s partnership with The Duke of Edinburgh International Award program?

Angela Capon:

Our partnership came about from a really simple conversation I had with Suzanne Currie a few months back. She’s the CEO for The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award USA. We bonded over our passion for giving young people the chance to break into the world of work, particularly into technology, digital infrastructure and the data center industry. Our industry has a huge talent gap. We all know that our workforce is aging, and we desperately need to encourage younger generations to join us in continuing the huge task of building the digital future.

Vincent:

What excites you most about this initiative?

Capon:

It's seeing the real impact this program could have on young people. As a fellow Brit, HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, is very dear to me. He wanted to create a program that would help young people gain essential life skills, build confidence and develop resilience outside of the traditional classroom. He primarily focused on underprivileged areas across the United Kingdom, but the program is now global.

The program is about self-discovery, growth, community and volunteering, and it really aligns with my personal values of supporting the young people of our world.

It also aligns with EdgeConneX’s values. Wherever we build, we do so with goodness and sustainability in mind, and we also want to build relationships in our communities. We want to give opportunities to young people in the neighborhood. I'm particularly inspired by the idea that our support can help open doors for young people globally in an industry that really has a huge talent gap.

Vincent:

Absolutely. We know that this is the first multi-pronged education program in the data center industry. Why do you think this is such a critical step for the industry, and what makes it unique?

Capon:

Our industry is growing at an unprecedented pace, and with that comes a responsibility to develop the next generation of talent. The industry has struggled to get in front of students because educators tend to focus on engineering, operations or technology, all in isolation.

The idea was to build this multifaceted education program that addresses the full ecosystem of skills, from technical expertise to leadership programs, financing and marketing and sales. Plus, we’re educating the educators alongside the students on the drivers and requirements for building data centers. This simply hasn't been done before.

The pilot will launch in seven schools in the Atlanta and New Jersey areas. It will cover all digital infrastructure, from AI to cloud to content. We would like to see it taken global, reaching as many educational establishments as possible, so we can build a pipeline of talent for our industry.

Vincent:

Can you talk more about how the program addresses the talent gap in digital infrastructure, AI and cloud technology? What specific skills and opportunities does it provide to participants?

Capon:

The digital infrastructure—AI, cloud and content—is expanding faster than the talent pool can keep up. I read a stat recently that said the industry needs to employ between 600,000 and 1 million new full-time data scientists over the next five years just to keep up with the infrastructure we're building for customers.

This program, I hope, will help address that gap by creating structured pathways for young people to gain both the technical and soft skills they need to succeed. Instead of waiting for talent to knock on our door, we're going to have to be proactive and cultivate a pipeline of future-ready professionals by getting into schools early.

Students need to understand both the technology as well as the responsibilities that come with building these huge campus sites. That’s why the platform we're building is not just about the technical; it’s about the whole umbrella of what it means to build a data center.

The skills include everything from the first groundbreaking to laying cables, financing, working with investors, promoting and selling the data center to customers, and making sure we're building it sustainably. Those are the skills we are trying to impart so they can hit the road running.

Vincent:

EdgeConneX has partnered with organizations like iMasons and Hello World CS. How do these collaborations enhance the program’s impact and reach?

Capon:

Working with iMasons and Hello World makes for really powerful collaboration because EdgeConneX is just one body in this whole industry. With 350 employees, we can't do everything, everywhere.

I think of it as a triangle. On one side is iMasons, which we partner with because they are connected to a global community of really smart digital infrastructure leaders with many years of experience. Their members are joining this program to offer mentorship, real-world insights and internships, and hopefully, that will turn into career paths for students.

Then there’s the Duke of Edinburgh, which delivers all the students that we need to access. And then you've got Hello World CS, which is an amazing company that’s built the education platform—the application students use to learn about AI and digital literacy and the industry that supports it.

Vincent:

How does the program integrate sustainability and global citizenship into its curriculum and activities?

Capon:

We must evolve responsibly. Our customers demand it across the board. They want to know about our sustainability initiatives. What are we planning? How are we going to do this? And that's all part of the education that we will supply to the students.

The modules teach students about reducing environmental footprint, increasing energy efficiency, water, renewable energy and innovative ways of cooling and design. This is particularly important with the AI boom coming—we have to take care of our planet.

The community aspect—looking after our neighbors—is also critical. EdgeConneX has many initiatives in our communities, from food banks and charity donations to sponsoring kids’ boxing and football clubs. It's also a brilliant opportunity to talk to them about our industry and get them inspired about being a part of the digital and AI era. And that ties perfectly back to the Duke of Edinburgh’s purpose, to develop well-rounded future leaders.

Combining education, sustainability and community teaches our future leaders not only how to build and run data centers, but also how to positively impact their communities and the planet we must fiercely protect.

Vincent:

What roles do mentorship and hands-on learning play in shaping the program participants’ experiences and future career paths?

Capon:

Prince Philip's big ethos was hands-on learning outside of the classroom. I firmly believe you can learn ten times more when you're actually living and breathing something versus sitting in school. Not only do you gain technical expertise, but it also helps you develop problem-solving skills. You can watch how people lead and work together, which you don't get in classrooms. Mentoring really prepares these young people for real-life environments.

Vincent:

As a leader in the data center industry, what does EdgeConneX hope the program will achieve in the long term both for the industry and for the young people involved?

Capon:

Being an advocate for young people to get into data centers will ultimately be a massive achievement for us in this program. I hope it will give young people that confidence, purpose and opportunity. I also hope we can build a program that everybody in the industry will take part in, doing their small bit.

Vincent:

Any final thoughts on how you see the initiative positively changing lives around the world?

Capon:

I’ve seen some of the feedback from the first student participants, and they're so excited. They are keen and eager to learn. So, they actually inspire me.

I hope this program will be that crucial first foot on the ladder. A lot of kids don't have that school or home environment that supports their growth or aspirations. Helping them see different opportunities they might never have imagined, particularly in our industry, will be really satisfying.

I talk to many young people who really don't understand the role of a data center, and I tell them it's not only an amazing career path but also pretty secure. It's full of really smart people with all sorts of skill sets, and you can make a lot of money. Now that switches the light bulb on!

This program has the power to change young people's lives worldwide by opening doors, building confidence and creating career pathways. There's no better way to go home with the knowledge to launch an amazing career.