IBTC Expands Data Centre Skills Programme To Kenya

The International Business Training College (IBTC) has expanded its data centre workforce development programme to Kenya, with support from Schneider Electric University, the Africa Data Centres Association (ADCA) and other industry partners.

The programme was formalised during ITW & Datacloud Africa in Nairobi and is aimed at training engineering and technology graduates for roles in the country’s growing data centre sector.

The initiative combines technical training, certification, industry engagement and practical exposure to data centre operations. IBTC said the Kenya programme builds on similar initiatives it has established in South Africa and Nigeria.

As part of the programme, participants will undertake the Data Centre Certified Associate (DCCA I) programme using curriculum provided through Schneider Electric University. The training covers areas including power, cooling, energy management, security, controls and data centre operations.

The programme will be delivered through IBTC’s “source, train, place” model, which involves identifying candidates, providing technical training and connecting graduates with potential employment opportunities in the industry.

Steve Santini, Vice President, Secure Power, Sub-Saharan Africa, at Schneider Electric, said the expansion comes as demand for data centre skills increases alongside investment in digital infrastructure.

“Building a sustainable talent pipeline is critical to supporting the growth of digital infrastructure across the continent. Through Schneider Electric University and our collaboration with ecosystem partners such as IBTC and ADCA, we are helping to equip the next generation of engineers and technicians with the knowledge and practical skills needed to design, operate and maintain the resilient, efficient and sustainable data centres that will power Africa’s digital future. At Schneider Electric, we believe that investing in people is just as important as investing in technology, and workforce development remains a key pillar in enabling Africa’s digital transformation.” Said Steve.

IBTC Data Centre Academy will oversee training and workforce development, while ADCA will provide industry and governance input to help align the programme with skills requirements within the data centre sector.

Practical components of the training will involve industry partners, including IMEX and IX Africa, giving participants exposure to data centre technologies and operational environments.

Nikki Maritz, Chief Executive Officer at IBTC, said collaboration between training institutions, technology providers and industry bodies would be important in addressing skills gaps in the sector.

“Developing a sustainable talent pipeline requires collaboration across the entire digital infrastructure ecosystem. By bringing together industry associations, technology providers and training organisations, we can help equip young professionals with the skills needed to support Africa’s rapidly evolving data centre landscape.” Noted Nikki Maritz, Chief Executive Officer, IBTC

The Kenya programme comes as data centre capacity and digital infrastructure investment expand across Africa, driven in part by growing demand for cloud services, artificial intelligence workloads and other digital services.

For Kenya, the programme adds another pathway for graduates seeking technical careers in data centre operations, at a time when the expansion of cloud computing and AI infrastructure is increasing demand for skills in power management, cooling, networking and other critical infrastructure disciplines.