CNet Training delivers classroom-based technical education programs led by expert instructors in locations across the world and via remote attendance, allowing ease of access to all industry professionals wherever they are. In addition, the company also delivers distance learning programs. One example is the Certified Data Centre Design Professional (CDCDP) program which is helping learners to understand the requirements of modern data centre design and planning. Andrew Stevens, CEO, CNet Training, tells us more…
Can you give us an overview of the Certified Data Centre Design Professional (CDCDP) program?
The Certified Data Centre Design Professional (CDCDP) is a five-day program proven to be an essential certification for individuals wishing to demonstrate their technical knowledge of data centre architecture and component operating conditions. The program teaches best practice principles for the design, construction and operation of computer rooms and data centre operational support facilities. It also addresses the importance of accurate interpretation of detailed customer requirements at the planning stage to ensure that the business needs remain focal to all decision making.
What can learners expect to gain from the program?
Learners will also explore the key elements of physical infrastructure, electrical distribution systems, air-conditioning, data cabling and building support systems. The program concludes with a comprehensive case study exercise that guides learners through the design steps from initiation to commission, covering the business decisions, design scope and implementation phases that need to be addressed throughout all aspects of the process.
A certified CDCDP also considers the requirements for compliance, having a full understanding of national and international regulations, codes and standards. During the program, learners will be provided a valuable opportunity to access the latest industry standards.
Who is the CDCDP designed for?
The CDCDP program is beneficial
for professionals already designing projects for implementation within a data
centre facility or those looking to advance into the data centre design from
associated data centre technical or operational roles.
The CDCDP requires the learner to have experience of working within a data centre environment. Ideally, we ask for two years’ experience working in a technical IT, operational or facilities role.
What is the benefit of the CDCDP for employers?
CDCDP qualification and certification provides the highest level of confidence to the employers and stakeholders that they have professional designers on their team who clearly recognise the business need and organisational requirements as well as the regulatory and legislative standards that impact data centre design. The designer can recognise that organisational requirements must be understood to realise and initiate a successful design as well as the future evolution of the data centre.
How does the CDCDP benefit the learner?
The program is designed to provide the learner with the highest possible level of skill, knowledge and confidence. On completing the program, the learners will have a strong understanding to identify key stakeholders and understand the business needs driving the design. During the CDCDP program learners undertake a complex design exercise that encourages them to consider flexibility and scalability to cover a wide variety of designs. This ensures the learner is competent going forward with any future design requirements, no matter how complex. All learners also gain a full understanding of current best practices and standards to ensure the highest level of design compliance and have access to the standards during the program.
Where do the (CDCDP) programs take place?
The CDCDP is taught internationally and CNet has programs scheduled in various locations across the UK, North America, Asia and the Middle East. The CDCDP is also available via remote attendance, allowing learners the opportunity to join the class from a location that best suits them, for example in their office or the comfort of their own home.
The remote attendance programs are delivered using collaboration-enabled facilities within specially designed smart rooms. Remote attendees benefit from the same instructor-led classroom environment in real-time, with the same levels of interaction, collaboration and instructor contact as those who are physically present in the room.
Remote attendees effectively sit in the same classroom with all the other learners and can, therefore, see, hear and enjoy the same learning experience. They can also participate in group activities. Check the CNet Training website for the latest dates for (CDCDP) classroom and remote attendance availability.
How long is the CDCDP program?
The CDCDP program is a full five-day program and there is an additional requirement of around 20 hours pre-class study that is provided by the CNet team and supported by a dedicated online tutor.
What are the benefits of qualification and certification?
On completion of the CDCDP program, learners gain an internationally and industry recognised BTEC Level 5 Professional Award Certified – Data Centre Design Professional qualification. Learners also gain official Certified Data Centre Management Professional certification and can use the CDCDP postnominal title and the CDCDP logo. Certifications are a commitment to life-long learning as they require re-certifying every three years via an online learning management system. This offers the perfect portal to ensure knowledge, skills and certification remain current and up to date to reflect the evolving needs of the industry.
What program do you recommend after the CDCDP?
Following the CDCDP program, learners are encouraged to continue their professional development by advancing their knowledge and skills to gain further official certifications and qualifications by progressing through the Global Digital Infrastructure Education Framework which maps education programs to career advancement throughout the data centre and network infrastructure sectors. While the programs flow perfectly from one to another they are of equal value as stand-alone programs, learners can enter the framework at any level depending on their level of experience.
Often CDCDP certified individuals choose to explore data centre management and attend the five-day Certified Data Centre Management Professional (CDCMP) program. This program provides unparalleled knowledge, skills and competency to manage the complex technical environments of a data centre facility and the ability to optimise its effectiveness by driving efficiencies.
Others decide to increase their knowledge of energy management and attend the Certified Data Centre Energy Professional (CDCEP), where they learn how to create an energy efficiency plan for their data centre.
This includes the creation, implementation, analysis and formulating of recommendations with the ultimate objective of reducing energy use and cutting carbon emissions, while the Certified Data Centre Audit Professional (CDCAP) program teaches how to plan and implement a strategic data centre audit process. Here they analyse audit data to verify and baseline the status of the data centre and create an action plan to reduce risk and improve the operational capability to support business continuity.
Of course, for those who are ambitious, there is the prestigious Masters Degree in Data Centre Leadership and Management – a three-year distance learning program where graduates join the worlds’ elite group of data centre professionals.
