Almost a quarter of data center staff could retire over the next decade — so who will be taking over?

A recent survey conducted by Onnec has revealed that a significant portion of the data center workforce in the UK, Ireland, and Nordic countries may retire within the next decade, posing a potential knowledge gap for the industry. The research indicates that around 6,340 workers, or about 23% of the workforce, are expected to retire in the UK, 24.43% in Ireland, and 28% in the Nordic region between 2031 and 2036.

This represents a substantial loss of experience and expertise that could hinder the industry's expansion, particularly with the increasing demand for data center capacity due to the rise of AI.

Matt Salter, Global Head of Data Centres at Onnec, emphasizes that the main challenge facing data centers is the aging workforce, rather than hardware or power issues. The loss of almost a quarter of the workforce's knowledge and experience will create difficulties for data center operators, who are already struggling to find skilled personnel.

Salter highlights the importance of investing in apprenticeships, mentoring, and creating clear career paths to ensure a smooth transition of knowledge to the next generation of data center professionals.

The research suggests that the industry must take immediate action to address this potential crisis. Failing to do so may result in a shortage of hands to build and maintain the data center capacity planned for the next two decades, leading to delays and potential safety concerns. As experienced engineers retire, they will take their valuable insights and hands-on expertise with them, leaving a void that may be challenging to fill in a short period.

To mitigate this risk, data center operators need to develop strategies now, such as apprenticeships and mentoring programs, to train and prepare their successors for the future.