• • • DATA CENTRES • • •
in the data centre space, its appeal and the quality and sustainability of the jobs on offer. It isn’t just the data centres themselves that will
create new opportunities. With the electricity demands of data centres expected to rise quickly over the next few years, critical supporting infrastructure like the power grid will need to grow alongside, meaning an even wider range of jobs on offer.
Rethinking factory work Alongside those challenges, there’s work to be done on moving away from long-held, and negative, perceptions of the industry. One in particular being the traditional, often outdated, nature of the sector itself. The industry must work to change those
perceptions and misconceptions around engineering, a sector which has often been thought of to involve long hours, hazardous conditions and monotonous tasks. Today’s engineering roles are exciting, driving technological advancements right from the fore and delivering solutions that have quickly become essential to everyday life. The Government set out a blueprint at the start
of this year for its plans to turbocharge AI, keeping the UK front and centre of global AI development. But, if the country wants to realise these ambitions, it’s evident that there’s going to be a need for more data centres in the UK. And to do that, there must be a strategy in place to ensure the right people and skills are in place. To help in recruiting the best talent, we’re likely
to see STEM roles rewrite their offerings to make these jobs more attractive; this becomes especially true when hiring for graduate and entry-level positions, with Gen Z increasingly seeking out employers that provide better work perks. After all, engineering firms that can’t match the same benefits that employees have come to expect from other sectors are going to lose out. It’s true that some perks, like working from
home, are typically inaccessible to factory staff. We recognised this at Davenham, and took a bold step forward by adopting a four-day workweek for all 350 of our factory-based engineers, a shift which has been met with huge enthusiasm, while making
us significantly more appealing to potential hires. Our wider culture reflects this, with a number of the team enjoying long tenures and advancing their skills while working with cutting-edge technologies. These aspects resonate strongly with today’s job seekers who prioritise both professional growth and work-life balance.
Investing in upskilling The UK boasts a world-renowned education system that provides respected academic and technical qualifications. Collaboration with these institutions presents a valuable opportunity for employers to showcase the clear career pathways on offer, fostering a steady pipeline of young talent. Our decision to expand into Nottingham reflects this strategy. With two leading universities on our doorstep, the city has a huge pool of STEM graduates we can tap into. While qualifications are important, practical,
hands-on experience is just as crucial. Encouragingly, we’re seeing more positive developments here, including new data centre- focused apprenticeships to bridge the gap. Our goal is to work closely with both local training providers and universities to give individuals a clear view of what a career with Davenham could offer, and the exciting potential within this fast- growing sector.
Location, location, location For manufacturers aiming to nurture talent, location is critical. Davenham’s roots go back over 40 years in Dublin, but for our expansion, Nottingham quickly emerged as the ideal choice. Nottingham is home to a large pool of skilled workers, many of whom already have the transferable skills we need. For example, the city’s recently closed Ratcliffe Power Station employed numerous engineers who can now upskill and transition to more modern sectors of engineering like data centres. In terms of logistics, the city benefits from
excellent transport road, rail and air connections, making it easy to access for our employees as well as our suppliers and customers. Plus, local bodies like Invest In Nottingham provide extensive support for businesses moving into the area, including property guidance and workforce insights. Addressing the shortage of skilled workers
remains a long-term challenge. However, the surge in demand for data centres may well be the catalyst needed to invigorate the industry. We’re eager to contribute to the growth of STEM in the UK by supporting local manufacturing, engineering and technology communities and continuing to deliver world-class switchgear and power distribution solutions.
www.davenham.com
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • SEPTEMBER 2025 41
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