The Italian Data Center Association (IDA), working together with DCD>Academy and with local partner Keypers, has announced the launch of the Data Center Talent Scholarship Program, a nationwide call for applications aimed at attracting recent graduates or final year students in the fields of industrial, electromechanical and manufacturing engineering.

The “Beca Talento Data Center” will offer 20 young candidates a scholarship to acquire the skills and knowledge required by the data center industry through e-learning provided by DCD>Academy, the leading global provider of training and learning services for the data center industry.

The courses include: The Business of Data Centers, which will provide them with an overview of the Data Center industry, 12 e-learning Data Center Technician certifications; and 8 Data Center Design Awareness courses of 21 hours duration with an Italian instructor.

In addition, the selected candidates will have the benefit of paid internships at IDA partner companies in colocation data centers. These grants have a total market value of €62,500.

In order for young Italians to apply for one of the 20 Data Center Talent Scholarships, candidates can submit their application through forms on the IDA and DCD>Academy portals.

An IDA selection committee will review scholarship recipients, paying special attention to the incorporation of diverse talent. Subsequently, once the scholarship has been awarded, the training process will begin and - once it is completed - it will lead to the start of the internship. The application period is expected to open in the first quarter of this year and will run until all scholarships are awarded.

Darren McGrath, managing director of DCD>Academy, said: "The Osservatori del Politecnico di Milano estimates that there is a total installed capacity of 300MW in the country, and it is in a good position among European countries in terms of importance of data centers.

“To take these numbers to the next level, it is crucial to have specialized talent trained for the requirements of the industry in the era of artificial intelligence. Therefore, at DCD>Academy, by having the academic offer adapted to the needs of the sector, we can be the key to paving the way for the progress of the Italian Data Center industry.”

Emmanuel Becker, president of the IDA, explained: "Italy, with a focus on Milan, is moving towards becoming one of the digital hubs of Southern Europe along with Madrid. To consolidate this position, the collaboration of all actors in the value chain of the digital economy is essential and, in this sense, a united ecosystem creates positive effects in terms of job creation, economic growth, investment, innovation and a greater offer of digital services for the country.

"This agreement with DCD>Academy is very enriching for the national industry, as it will help to increase the knowledge of Italian talent, essential for the growth of the sector, by the hand of the leading provider of training and learning services for the data center industry.”