A construction worker cuts material at an Apple data center in Reno, Nevada.
Demand for the specialized staff that builds and manages data centers is outpacing the supply of those workers, according to a report from Uptime Institute, an advisory group focused on digital infrastructure. Globally, staffing needs are expected to grow to 2.3 million full-time workers by 2025, up from 2 million employees in 2019. At the same time, the report cites growing concern that many qualified staffers are due to retire in the next few years, causing an additional surge in demand.
“This is a fast-growing and dynamic industry and we need people from all backgrounds, all over the world,” Uptime Institute Vice President of Research Rhonda Ascierto said.