Online learning is becoming more accessible and thus, more popular in today’s digital age. Andrew Stevens, President and CEO of CNet Training, discusses the technical education provider’s leading Certified Data Centre Technician Professional (CDCTP) program, and what learners can expect to gain.
Ensuring zero downtime within the mission critical data centre environment involves employing highly competent and confident technicians that consistently demonstrate unrivalled technical knowledge and skills. High-quality technicians are increasingly seen as a vital component to the smooth running of any data centre operation.
Andrew Stevens, President and CEO of CNet Training, outlines the Certified Data Centre Technician Professional (CDCTP) program, a leading program across the industry for individuals wishing to acquire skills of the highest calibre in order to carry out their data centre related activities.
Can you provide an overview of the Certified Data Centre Design Professional (CDCTP) program?
The Certified Data Centre Technician Professional (CDCTP) program explores a wide range of subjects relevant to the data centre technician, including a detailed breakdown of the data centre operating environments and the four key constraints to its operational effectiveness (power, cooling, IT and space), the necessary operational policies, procedures and compliance based on legislation, standards (national and international) and codes of conduct. Also, during the program, learners will be offered a valuable opportunity to access the latest industry standards.
What can learners expect to gain from the program?
The five-day CDCTP program provides learners with the skills so they can foresee potential causes of failure honing an in-depth understanding of facility components and their operating parameters. In addition, technicians can identify, analyse and remedy problems as they occur, quickly, decisively and accurately, avoiding potential high-cost repairs and the risks associated with loss of service.
A certified CDCTP will have the knowledge, expertise and skills that are considered essential in ensuring a data centre facility is operated and maintained to the highest possible standard.
Who is the CDCTP designed for?
The program is beneficial for individuals working within mission critical data centre facilities. Experience of working within a data centre environment is essential. If you would like to discuss your experience or suitability for this program, please contact the team and they will happily assess your experience and the program in more detail.
Where do the CDCTP programs take place?
The CDCTP is available internationally. It is currently available via live instructor-led Remote Attendance in multiple time zones across the globe, allowing for learning at times that are convenient for individual schedules such as while on night shifts or outside of usual working hours. There are a number of classroom-based programs taking place where restrictions and travel allow and there are strict safety measures in place. A lot of our learners are enjoying being able to attend the program from the comfort of their homes or a quiet space at their place of work. Remote Attendance programs are designed to fit around the learner and for them to attend from the environment that best suits them.
Over the last three years, we have been delivering programs via live Instructor-led Remote Attendance classes. We anticipated this would be driven by the need to operate in a more sustainable and environmentally sensitive way, however, we did not anticipate COVID-19.
We have worked hard to expand our Remote Attendance capability and are pleased that we now have 15 dedicated Smart Rooms, allowing us to deliver 15 different classes simultaneously across the world. We have a full schedule of program dates in time zones globally that are Guaranteed to Run #GTR and have moved any planned classroom-based programs over the coming months to Remote Attendance classes, allowing them to continue as planned.
The CNet Remote Attendance learning experience is different from many others – it is live and fully interactive with both the instructor and fellow attendees wherever they are in the world.
Learners attending the CDCTP are required to have a webcam-enabled laptop or suitable device with unrestricted wireless Internet connectivity, the latest Internet browser and suitable applications for reading/annotating PDFs and editing standard office documents.
See all upcoming CDCTP program dates here.
How long is the CDCTP program?
The CDCTP program is five days in duration, however, it can be split into two units and taken separately:
- The Certified Data Centre Technician (CDCT) – Core Unit is a three-day unit
- The Certified Data Centre Technician (CDCTP) – Professional Unit is a two-day unit
You must successfully complete the (CDCT) core unit before moving onto the (CDCTP) professional unit.
The benefit of Qualification and Certification?
On completion of the CDCTP program, learners gain an internationally and industry-recognised qualification, the BTEC Level 4 Professional Award in Data Centre Technician Professional. They also gain official Certified Data Centre Technician Professional (CDCTP) certification and can use the CDCTP post-nominal title, use of the CDCTP logo as well as official CDCTP digital badge.
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 CDCTP?
Following the CDCTP 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 standalone programs. Learners can enter the framework at any level depending on their level of experience.
Often, CDCTP 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 sustainability and management and attend the Certified Data Centre Sustainability Professional (CDCSP) program which is structured for senior data centre operational and facilities management, team leaders and senior engineers wishing to unite existing knowledge with new learning concerning achieving a sustainability focused strategy within their mission critical facility.
The Certified Data Centre Audit Professional (CDCAP) is another popular program that gives learners the skills, knowledge and competency to create a strategic plan and undertake a comprehensive audit of data centre environments. For those who are ambitious, there is the prestigious Masters degree in Data Centre Leadership and Management. This is a three-year distance learning program where graduates join the world’s elite group of data centre professionals.
