Andrew Stevens, CEO, CNet Training, explains the benefits of the company’s learning program and says that learners will gain a comprehensive overview of the data centre sector, the functional requirements of the data centre facilities, the key aspects of data centre infrastructure and management and the facility’s relationship to business strategy.
International award-winning technical education company, CNet Training, has been designing and delivering professional network infrastructure education and training programs since 1996.
CNet is a global leader in technical education for the digital infrastructure industry, comprising the data centre and network infrastructure sectors, and is the only industry dedicated education provider in the world to award both internationally recognised qualifications and professional certifications. These qualifications start at Level 3 and culminate in the world’s only Level 7 Masters Degree program in Data Centre Leadership and Management.
CNet delivers programs led by expert instructors, in time zones across the world via live instructor-led remote attendance, allowing ease of access to all industry professionals wherever they are in the world. In addition, CNet also delivers distance learning programs and classroom-based programs.
Here, Andrew Stevens, CEO, CNet Training, discusses the Data Centre Fundamentals program.
Can you give us an overview of the Data Centre Fundamentals program?
Data centres play such significant roles in our business and personal lives, yet not many people really know what they are. Often referred to as ‘the cloud’ where our data is stored and processed, they are much more than this; they power the Internet, giving us the ability to pay bills online, access emails, obtain money from ATM machines, watch films, communicate around the world and to continue what is now considered a normal, fiercely technological lifestyle.
The Data Centre Fundamentals content has been designed to help learners demystify the complex world of data centres. It provides an overview of what data centres are, what they do and why we need them.
What can learners expect to gain from the program?
During the program, learners gain a structured overview of the data centre environments, the role of a data centre and key operational aspects.
The entry-level program has been created to introduce people to the industry and to help demystify the world of data centres. The program covers key areas including an introduction into the data centre industry, the current market and trends as well as understanding the importance and different types of data centres. Key aspects relating to basic design and design philosophies are also examined as well as the essential considerations of data centre management. The data centre sector as a whole is also explained, including the value of the sector today, the significant growth it has experienced to date and how this will continue in the future.
Who is the Data Centre Fundaments Program for?
The Data Centre Fundamentals is the perfect program to introduce people to the industry, regardless of their role. It’s a fantastic entry program covering all the basic skills, knowledge and understanding of the data centre industry. It’s a great starting point for anyone looking to get into the industry as well as technicians with limited experience or exposure to data centre facilities or for anyone who sells products and services to the data centre sector. It’s also great for those who already work within the industry but not directly in a technical role. Marketing and operational teams would also benefit significantly from gaining a better overall understanding of the data centre environment and industry.
Is any previous experience needed for the program?
No previous experience is needed for the Data Centre Fundamentals program, however, some awareness of the data centre industry would be advantageous.
The Data Centre Fundamentals program is available as either a Distance Learning Program or Remote Attendance Program – please can you explain the different learning options?
I’m delighted that we are now able to offer the Data Centre Fundamentals as either an eight-hour video-narrated distance learning program or as a one-day live instructor-led remote attendance program. Learners and organisations have the option to choose which program delivery method best suits their learning style/needs and what best fits around the learner’s work/life commitments.
With the distance learning option, learners can work through the narrated video at their own pace and convenience over a three-month period. The eight-hour video is fully narrated by CNet’s LATAM and Canada Technical Manager and 7×24 Exchange International Career Development Mentor, Melissa Chambal, and allows for self-paced learning so the learners can stop/start the program to fit around their other commitments.
The one-day instructor-led remote attendance program is perfect for learners who prefer instructor-led learning and prefer to complete the learning all in one day. CNet’s instructor-led remote attendance capability is enjoyed by learners worldwide. It creates a fully interactive learning experience that delivers the same rich quality content that learners would experience in a classroom setting. The Data Centre Fundamentals one-day remote attendance program is available in multiple time zones across the globe.
CNet has been delivering live instructor-led remote attendance programs since 2017 through smart rooms where the instructor can see and interact with the learners in the usual way. Remote attendance programs are delivered in the same way a classroom-based program would run, set start and end times each day, break for lunch and constant interaction with the instructor and everyone else on the program. The remote attendance learning experience transports the learner into a learning group environment where they work and learn together in the same way they would in an actual classroom but just from a working environment that best suits their current needs/requirements.
What will learners gain on completing the program?
On successful completion of the program, learners will gain a comprehensive overview of the data centre sector, the functional requirements of the data centre facilities, the key aspects of data centre infrastructure and management and the facility’s relationship to business strategy. Learners will also receive a CNet Certificate and also gain use of the official Data Centre Fundamentals Digital Badge that can be added and shared across social media profiles and CVs to show employees, colleagues, friends, family and future employees that the learner has successfully completed the program.
What do you recommend to learners on completing the Data Centre Fundamentals program?
Following the Data Centre Fundamentals program, learners are encouraged to continue their professional development by advancing their knowledge and skills to gain 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.
