Bridging the Philippines’ data center talent gap

Bridging the Philippines’ data center talent gap | Daily Tribune

ST Telemedia Global Data Centers Philippines (STTGDCP) has successfully conducted DC Power-Up, the country’s first sponsored training and certification program for entry-level data center (DC) professionals.

STTGDCP is a joint venture between leading digital solutions platform Globe, the Philippines’ leading conglomerate Ayala Corporation and STT GDC, one of the fastest growing data center service providers headquartered in Singapore. STTGDCP operates five DCs in the country.

DC Power-Up addresses the growing demand for skilled talent in the rapidly expanding DC industry by equipping recent engineering graduates and early-career professionals with both hands-on training and an internationally recognized credential — the Data Center Foundation Certificate (DCFC®). The two-phase program conducted in partnership with EPI, a global leader in DC training and certification, combines training and career opportunities to address the increasing shortage of industry-certified DC professionals.

Recently held at the STTGDCP headquarters in Makati City, the pilot run gathered recent graduates from the country’s top universities and regional state universities, along with young professionals eager to build their careers in the DC industry.

Participants received expert-led, face-to-face instruction and hands-on training in DC operations, culminating in the globally recognized DCFC® certification from EPI. Those who passed Phase 1 then applied their knowledge to real-world challenges, with top performers emerging as prime candidates for employment at STTGDCP.

The program received hundreds of applications, from which 15 outstanding candidates were selected to join the pilot run. All 15 participants successfully passed the DCFC® certification exam, achieving a 100 percent certification rate.

Following the completion of Phase 2, which included a capstone project and panel evaluation, 60 percent (9 participants) received job offers from STTGDCP. All nine have accepted their offers and are set to start their careers on 21 April 2025.

“STT GDC Philippines is committed to shaping the future of digital infrastructure. With DC Power-Up, we’re empowering the next generation of engineers by providing top-tier training and career opportunities, ensuring a skilled and sustainable workforce that will drive innovation in the data center industry,” said Carlo Malana, president and CEO of STTGDCP.

Participants, meanwhile, found the training enriching, helping them prepare for a potential career in the DC industry.

“As you know, technology has been and will only continue to grow rapidly with time. In this fast-changing world, there is only one way to survive and thrive – we must keep up with change, we must learn how to evolve from what we know today. We adapt and we innovate. The DC Power- Up program paved a way for me to both adapt and grow,” said Lorraine Joyce Balitian, a mechanical engineer who got hired by STTGDCP by the end of the training.

“The DC Power-Up program was a unique and informative experience to aspiring individuals such as myself entering the data center industry. The program allowed me to build a solid foundation for the knowledge and skills required to progress in this up-and-coming field,” said Raphael Pozas, who has also joined the company.

Dione Kiley Uy, also among those who landed employment at the company after DC Power-Up, said the training opened her eyes to the many opportunities in the DC space to grow, innovate and make an impact.

“The program gave me a clearer understanding of the industry’s importance and the skills needed to thrive in it. I’d highly recommend this experience to anyone looking to explore a dynamic and fast-evolving field!” said Uy.

“We applaud STT GDC Philippines for their foresight and leadership in launching the country’s first-ever data center training sponsorship program. This groundbreaking initiative will not only build a highly skilled, industry-certified workforce for STT GDC but also drive the nation’s progress as a key data center hub in Asia Pacific. We are proud to collaborate with STT GDC Philippines on the DC Power-Up program, shaping the future of the industry together,” added Edward van Leent, chairman and CEO of EPI Group.