American Power Conversion a global leader in power, cooling, and management solutions, has announced that its Data Center University (DCU) online curriculum now offers an Associate Certification, an international, vendor-neutral credential that recognizes foundational knowledge in data center infrastructure including power, cooling, racks, cabling, fire protection, management, and physical security. The DCU Associate Certification provides the IT industry with a global standard for measuring competency in the core elements of a data center.
This new DCU Certification gives today's data center professionals the opportunity to advance their status in the designing, building, and operating of data centers and gain credibility and respect within the industry. A recent survey conducted by AFCOM's Data Center Institute (DCI) indicates that by the year 2015, the number of qualified senior-level data center professionals will have diminished by 45 percent. As the talent pool diminishes and the demand for these professionals grows, certifications will offer the assurance that individuals have the knowledge, skills and the ability to successfully implement data center solutions.
Certification is awarded to those passing an exam of approximately 75 conventional test questions administered by Thomson Prometric testing centers, the leading international testing provider. It is recommended, but not mandatory, that candidates complete the DCU Associate Certification e-learning curriculum that consists of 14 online courses covering a variety of data center subjects.
"Since its launch in January 2006, Data Center University's on-line courses have become an invaluable resource for IT professionals seeking real world training on the fundamental issues surrounding data centers, said Aaron Davis, chief marketing officer at APC. "Our tens of thousands of registered students speak clearly to the increased need for education in the face of increasing server densities and increasing energy costs. APC is excited to offer an Associate Certification to individuals who want to validate their qualifications to design, upgrade, or operate a data center.