The first year of ‘The Digital Futures Programme’ at University Technical College (UTC) Heathrow has caught the imagination of the Digital Infrastructure Industry in 2022.
With a critical skills gap within the industry, an ageing workforce, and the unprecedented effects of the pandemic putting increasing strain on the data centre sector, there has never been a more key juncture to stimulate interest in establishing the Digital Infrastructure Industry as a rewarding career option for new entrants.
For several years, CNet Training’s CEO Andrew Stevens has been increasingly vocal about the lack of fresh talent entering the industry and voiced concerns on how it can stifle progression within such a vibrant sector.
So, alongside some heavyweight industry partners, Broad Group, CyrusOne, LMG, Yondr, CBRE, Virtus Data Centres, AWS, Ark Data Centres, the Baker Dearing Educational Trust and Mike Halliday at Activate Learning Education Trust (ALET), Andrew set about changing the landscape and the result is the creation of ‘The Digital Futures Programme’ at UTC Heathrow, a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) focused college for students aged 14-19.
The first year has just ended, with the venture already winning a significant global award, and tentative plans to roll-out the Digital Futures Programme further afield.
In the latest edition of Inside Networks, Andrew explains how his vision turned to reality, the pitfalls along the way, and what it means for the future.
Please click here to read the full article; https://www.insidenetworks.co.uk/magazine/sep22/?page=67.
Many thanks to Rob Shepherd at Inside Networks for the article.
