Working together for the professionals of the future
Switch Datacenters recently became a work-learning company and is now affiliated with the Cooperative for Vocational Education, Training, and the Business Community (SBB). We are always open to training top technical talents from a variety of education programs in the regions where we are active.
Europe and the Netherlands are currently facing a severe shortage of technical professionals. Recent research by Ipsos I&O, commissioned by various initiatives including SBB for the Week of Craftsmanship, reveals that four out of five people recognize this shortage in their own surroundings. The effects are particularly noticeable in construction, installation, and energy supply, leading to long waiting times, higher costs, and hard-to-fill vacancies.
This challenge is also present in our own data center environment, which is why we decided to train people ourselves. The technical students enrolled in these programs work in practice at least four days a week at Switch Datacenters under the supervision of an experienced employee and are guaranteed a job upon successfully passing their exams.
During the Week of Craftsmanship, Eppo Bruins, Minister of Education, Culture and Science, emphasized the following:
“Practical learning is invaluable. By learning in practice, students develop into professionals who keep our society running. The combination of education and on-the-job training provides real knowledge and experience. Together, we build a strong and skilled workforce.”
One of the first students to start at Switch Datacenters is Yehor Minin, who came over from Ukraine a few years ago due to the war. Yehor has already been contributing as a jack-of-all-trades for some days but has a strong desire to broaden his technical expertise and earn a professional diploma. Switch Datacenters is now giving him this opportunity. Company supervisor Robin ten Wolde, senior site supervisor at one of the Switch locations, says: “Yehor is already showing that he has what it takes to further develop his talent, and we are eager for good people. It’s a win-win for us to give him this chance, and we gain a valuable permanent employee in this tight job market. We plan to have more students to follow.”
Vocational technology students are the professionals of the future. To learn their craft, it is crucial they complete part of their education in practice. Training companies and practical trainers play a vital role in this, enabling students to master the finer details of the craft while also developing themselves as individuals.
Hannie Vlug, Director of SBB,
during the award ceremony for the best learning company.
