As the Philippines accelerates investments in digital infrastructure, STT GDC (ST Telemedia Global Data Centres) is scaling up efforts to address a critical challenge facing the sector: the shortage of skilled local data centre professionals.
The company has launched DC Power-Up 2.0, the latest iteration of its workforce development initiative designed to equip aspiring Filipino professionals with industry-recognized certification and foundational expertise in data centre operations.
The second run of the program welcomed 27 participants, doubling the size of its inaugural cohort while maintaining a focused, hands-on learning environment aligned with global industry standards.
Participants underwent a three-day intensive training program and received complimentary access to the Data Centre Foundation Certificate (DCFC), an internationally recognized credential developed by EPI Group that covers essential knowledge in data centre infrastructure and operations.
Top-performing graduates from the program were offered employment opportunities, underscoring the initiative’s role in helping bridge the gap between training and workforce deployment in the country’s fast-growing digital infrastructure sector.
The program has also gained international recognition, earning a nomination for the Workforce Initiative of the Year Award from DCD Holdings. Across both program runs, all participants successfully passed the DCFC certification examination.
Supporting the Philippines’ digital infrastructure growth
Aerial view of the STT GDC building in Fairview
The launch comes as the Philippines continues to attract growing interest from hyperscalers and digital infrastructure investors, driven by rising demand for cloud services, artificial intelligence workloads, and enterprise digital transformation.
For STT GDC Philippine President and CEO Carlo Malana, building a strong local talent base is essential to sustaining that momentum.
“DC Power-Up 2.0 reflects our commitment to supporting the development of Filipino professionals who can contribute to the country’s digital infrastructure ecosystem,” Malana said.
“As the data centre industry expands, investing in local capabilities remains an important part of building a resilient and sustainable sector.”
The latest cohort also recorded improved gender representation compared to the program’s first intake, reflecting broader efforts to widen access to opportunities in what has traditionally been a highly specialized technical field.
Industry-aligned training
DC Power-Up 2.0 participants with Edward van Leent, Chairman and CEO of EPI Group, alongside Dean Coetzee, COO, and Melanie Santiago, Head of People and Culture of STT GDC Philippines.
The program is delivered in partnership with EPI Group, a globally accredited provider of data centre training and certification.
According to Edward van Leent, the collaboration aims to ensure Filipino participants gain skills that meet international operational standards.
“Through this initiative, participants gain globally recognised foundational knowledge that supports their entry into the data centre industry,” he said.
The expansion of DC Power-Up reflects a broader trend among digital infrastructure players in the Philippines, where investment is increasingly extending beyond physical facilities to include workforce readiness and long-term ecosystem development.
As demand for data centre capacity rises, industry players are placing greater emphasis on developing homegrown technical expertise to support the country’s evolving digital economy.
