100 local workers in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Region, to be trained as technicians and managers in $250,000+ commitment to skills development for the company’s new data centres.
8th March 2022. Quantum Switch, a designer, developer and operator of high-security, high-
performance, flexible co-location data centres in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, India & Southeast Asia has partnered with CNet Training (CNet) to deliver industry-approved
technical education to local staff across its portfolio in the Middle East. This year it will
educate 28 local staff in technical and data centre management skills in a programme worth
over $100,000. Over the next five years, it is estimated that 100 or more individuals will
undergo education programmes by the company as it invests worth well over $250,000 in
local skills development.
CNet Training is the Global Leader in Technical Education for the Digital Infrastructure
Industry and has been designing and delivering professional network infrastructure training
programs since 1996. The cooperation is a key aspect of Quantum Switch’s commitment to
employ local staff and develop the skills and experience of the populations around its data
centres.
On the back of the recently announced contract to deliver and operate six 50MW data
centres in Saudi Arabia over the next five years, plus continuing expansion in other Gulf
states and across the Middle East, Quantum Switch will become a significant employer of
high-technology staff in the region. Working with CNet allows the company to recruit
suitable staff with core skills locally and educate them in the specifics of data centre
technologies and management.
Managers and technicians will be automatically enrolled, at no cost to them, on one of two
highly regarded programmes created and delivered by CNet. These are the Certified Data
Centre Management Professional (CDCMP®) and the Certified Data Centre Technician
Professional (CDCTP®). The first is a comprehensive programme that develops an
understanding of all elements of a data centre facility and the relationships and
dependencies between them. Participants learn to maintain consistent reliability, security
and integrity of data and the availability of service. The second focuses on subjects essential
to data centre technicians in maintaining zero-downtime facilities. It includes understanding
the key constraints on operational effectiveness, policies, procedures and compliance based
on legislation, standards (national & international) and codes of conduct.
On successful completion of the programmes, including various assessments, participants
will be awarded industry-recognised certifications and internationally recognised
qualifications that confirm their excellence in these highly complex environments.
Peter O’Sullivan, Head of Operations at Quantum Switch, commented;
“Any data centre is only as good as the people who manage it and keep it operating. The necessary blend of skills is hard to find which is why we are working with CNet to invest in developing and certifying individuals with relevant skills to apply them in the exciting and growing data centre sector. We are passionate about creating high-skill, high-value jobs for the communities where we operate, and the CNet certifications help us do exactly that.”
Andrew Stevens, CEO of CNet Training, added;
“We applaud Quantum Switch for its commitment to local skills development. By providing its staff with the opportunity to participate in our technical education programmes and earn certifications recognised by the industry worldwide, not only benefits the local population by providing access to education for high quality, transferrable skills, it also creates a powerful employer brand that benefits all parties.”
To date, 7 staff have enrolled on programmes provided by CNet as part of this commitment.
In total 28 are expected to be professionally certified this year with a continuing
commitment to certify new recruits over the coming years.