Datacentre Academy

Datacentres are the engine rooms of Australia’s digital economy, supporting our everyday digital lives and enabling innovation, jobs, essential services, and a wide range of industries.

With the growth of cloud computing and AI, Australia’s datacentre workforce is set to double by 2030. Employers are struggling to find qualified candidates to fill these specialised roles.

Created in collaboration with Microsoft, the Datacentre Academy is a workforce development program designed to fill the critical skills shortage.

The Datacentre Academy focuses on two in-demand datacentre roles: you can either gain an understanding of datacentre information technology fundamentals to operate the hardware or acquire the skills needed to safely maintain and manage critical environments.

The Datacentre Academy offers a comprehensive approach to training, with a simulated datacentre lab at TAFE NSW Meadowbank to gain hands-on experience. Students will also receive mentoring by Microsoft and industry guests, plus receive career development and job readiness support.

Datacentre Technicians look after the technology in datacentres. They handle hardware start-ups and shut-downs, perform basic troubleshooting and diagnostics, quality checks and changes, ensuring everything is safe, secure, and up to standard.

Through this course, you will develop an understanding of the datacentre environment, standard processes and procedures for preparing, installing, performing diagnostics, troubleshooting, replacing, and/or decommissioning equipment, plus familiarise yourself with security and data management procedures. Students also gain industry-recognised certifications.

Critical Environment Technicians look after the environment in datacentres. They maintain all the essential equipment that surrounds and powers datacentres, such as heating, ventilation, water, air-conditioning, electrical supply, and distribution.

Designed in collaboration with Microsoft, this course helps you prepare for a career as an entry-level Critical Environment Technician. You will gain hands-on understanding of how critical environment equipment works, perform various types of maintenance, respond to onsite incidents while coordinating with other critical facilities professionals, and monitor equipment performance and operations.

TAFE Statement in Datacentre Essentials Course:

• TAFE Statement in Datacentre Essentials
• CompTIA A+
• CompTIA Server+

TAFE Statement in Introduction to Critical Environment Technician Course:

• TAFE Statement in Introduction to Critical Environment Technician

The training will be delivered on-site at the Meadowbank campus in our state-of-the-art facility and Datacentre Lab. These courses require a full-time study commitment with 3 days of attendance on campus required. Self-directed study will also be required, and learning and teaching resources will be made available on online learning platforms (approximately 20-24 hours a week in total).

You must be an Australian citizen over 18 years of age to work in an Australian Datacentre, and hence this is a mandatory requirement for entry into this course.

For the Datacentre Technician Essentials course, you must have networking knowledge and/or experience equivalent to a minimum Certificate IV in Networking or Cyber qualification.

To enrol in the Critical Environment Technician course, it is recommended that you have a keen interest in electrotechnology, IT infrastructure, or related fields. A basic understanding or prior experience in these areas will enhance your learning experience and ability to apply the course concepts effectively.

The 'Empowering Australia's Digital Future' report by Mandala is a fantastic resource to learn more about datacentres here in Australia, opportunities to enhance skills development, planning processes, and renewable energy growth.