BCS Launches Mission Critical Academy to Create Pathway for Data Center Operators

Rhea-AI Summary

BCS Data Center Operations has launched the BCS Mission Critical Academy, an initiative aimed at addressing the industry's workforce shortage by training skilled data center operators. The program targets entry-level candidates from various backgrounds, including military personnel, and aims to create a strong talent pipeline. A new 20,000-square-foot technical training center will facilitate hands-on training. The academy responds to a global demand for skilled workers amidst an aging workforce and emphasizes diversity by targeting underrepresented groups in the tech industry.

Positive

• Launch of BCS Mission Critical Academy to address workforce shortage.
• Establishment of a 20,000-square-foot training center for hands-on learning.
• Program aims to attract diverse candidates, including women and minorities.

Negative

• None.

New BCS Program Supports Strategy to Address Industry Workforce Shortage

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BCS Data Center Operations (BCS), one of North America’s leading operators of data centers and critical infrastructure, has launched BCS Mission Critical Academy, a broad-reaching occupational readiness program designed to attract, train and develop data center operators across a range of high-demand trade professions, including facility management engineering, IT services and physical security.

This Mission Critical Academy is the first in a series of initiatives BCS is undertaking to address a growing supply-and-demand gap for highly skilled, trained and certified workforce required to operate and protect 7x24x365 mission critical facilities and infrastructure. BCS plans to build a 20,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art technical training center featuring multiple mini-data center lab environments and the specialized infrastructure necessary to facilitate a wide range of hands-on training and certification capabilities.

“BCS Mission Critical Academy is our response to the continued global growth of data centers and other mission critical infrastructure, combined with an aging workforce and a lack of awareness around the breadth and depth of career opportunities available within our industry,” explained BCS CEO Danny Crocker. “The program addresses what our industry is characterizing as a ‘war on talent’ by leveraging our industry-leading People Services and Corporate Technical Services teams while reinforcing our strong belief that people are this industry’s most valuable assets.”

The new BCS program is an entry-level, “grow your own,” workforce talent-development portal and feeder system. It is designed to attract academy participants from continuing education programs, trade and technical schools, community colleges and exiting military personnel, as well as individuals without related experience who have the right aptitude and willingness to learn.

“Younger professionals, women and minority groups are underrepresented at the operations and technical levels in the tech and critical infrastructure industries,” said BCS Chief People Officer LaTonya McElroy. “One of the things we are doing with Mission Critical Academy and other efforts is partnering with organizations that can help create pathways into our industry, and as a result, make us stronger as an organization.”

Program participants complete a series of purpose-built curriculum tracks ranging from a few weeks up to 12 months depending on the specific certification being achieved or program being completed. The program consists of in-person, instructor-led classroom training and partner-training curriculum, combined with online certification programs. In the field, the on-the-job training is tailored to each participant’s chosen career path. BCS’s new Mission Critical Academy training program will also be available for end users interested in sending their teams or selected individuals for certification.

“Operational readiness is at the heart of our ability to operate and protect our clients’ mission critical infrastructure,” added Crocker. “The academy allows BCS to create and maintain a pipeline of data center operators for tomorrow.”

BCS is a veteran-owned and operated company with a high percentage of military veteran team members. Last quarter, Colliers (Nasdaq and TSX: CIGI), a diversified real estate, professional services and investment management company, announced a strategic partnership with BCS to provide market-leading data center management services to Colliers’ clients and to broaden its data center and critical facility portfolio capabilities.

About BCS

BCS is an enterprise-level, critical facilities operations company focusing exclusively on data centers. The BCS solutions portfolio includes facility management, IT services, physical security and a range of value-added professional services through one fully integrated self-performance model. BCS utilizes advanced technology and centralized services, including BCS CriticalWorks^TM, BCS CriticalCare^TM, BCS Tactical Operations Center and BCS Government Programs, to achieve increased performance, efficiency and scale. BCS serves the needs of Fortune 500 companies with more than 7.5 million total square feet and more than 450 MW of data center critical power under contract.

For more information visit bcsdatacenteroperations.com or follow BCS on LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220224005448/en/

Chad Giddings

Marketing & Communications, BCS Data Center Operations

816-769-6162

Source: BCS Data Center Operations

FAQ

What is the BCS Mission Critical Academy and its purpose?

The BCS Mission Critical Academy is a training program launched by BCS Data Center Operations to address the workforce shortage in the data center industry by attracting and developing skilled operators.

How large is the training facility for the BCS Mission Critical Academy?

The training facility will cover 20,000 square feet, equipped with mini-data center lab environments for hands-on training.

Who does the BCS Mission Critical Academy aim to attract?

The program targets entry-level participants from trade schools, community colleges, military personnel, and individuals willing to learn without prior experience.

What is the significance of the partnership between BCS and Colliers related to CIGI?

The partnership enhances Colliers' data center management services and expands its capabilities in managing critical facilities.

When was the BCS Mission Critical Academy launched?

The academy was announced in a press release dated February 24, 2022.