The global data centre industry is undergoing unprecedented growth, fueled by the exponential rise of cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and hyperscale deployments. As businesses and governments increasingly rely on digital infrastructure, the need for efficient, scalable, and sustainable data centre solutions has never been greater. The data centre market in India is projected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 10 per cent from 2023 to 2030.
As a global leader in critical digital infrastructure solutions with 60-plus years in the industry, Vertiv does business in more than 130 countries. They have 24 manufacturing locations worldwide, serviced by 4,000-plus field engineers, with 6 locations serviced by 1,500 engineers in the Asia Pacific region. For FY24, Vertiv’s revenue amounts to $8 billion.
Vertiv derives 80 per cent of its revenue from the data centre industry with a specialised focus on delivering cutting-edge technology. The company’s success is intertwined with the growth of data centres worldwide, in high-potential markets like India. Vertiv’s dominance in the data centre space stems from its comprehensive portfolio of power, cooling, and IT infrastructure solutions. The company has evolved from traditional air-cooled systems to advanced liquid cooling technologies capable of supporting AI-driven workloads that demand exponentially higher power densities – from 10kW per rack just a few years ago to projections of 500-600kW in the near future.
While India generates 20 per cent of the world’s data, it currently houses only 3.5 per cent of global data centre capacity. Major players like Google, building its largest campus outside the Americas, and AWS are making massive investments, creating what Vertiv India MD, Subhasis Majumdar, calls a ‘mammoth opportunity’. Recognising the critical need for skilled talent, Vertiv has launched its state-of-the-art Training Academy and Technology Excellence Centre at its Integrated Business Services (IBS) centre in Pune. This facility represents a strategic investment in India’s digital future, combining hands-on technical training with advanced R&D facilities. The Indian training centre will be one of over 30 academies and 23 regional training centres globally.
“The pace of technological change requires us to institutionalise knowledge,” explains Ryan Jarvis, VP of Global Services. “Our academy program is the fuel that powers our service capability – enabling technicians to safely handle everything from 800V DC power to liquid-cooled AI racks.” The academy’s partnerships with local universities, including IIT Madras, are being used to develop next-generation data centre talent.
The facility features five dedicated training bays covering core product pillars, enabling participants to gain applied skills and experience in power systems, cooling architectures, and monitoring technologies. Learners engage through real-time implementation work in controlled conditions that simulate customer environments and equip teams to apply Vertiv’s standards of reliability, safety, and efficiency. Access to training is provided not just for the internal engineers and sales staff but is also available for distribution partners for critical infrastructure maintenance.
Driving innovation
“Pune has become a strategic global delivery hub for Vertiv, with plans to scale rapidly,” adds Majumdar. “With the surge in AI investments in the data centre space, we expect significant demand for a skilled, adapted workforce. This training academy will play a pivotal role in training and upskilling engineers and customers to design and service both new and existing data centres.” In addition to educational programs, the facility features advanced engineering and R&D laboratories in the Technology Excellence Centre, aimed at driving innovation in power and thermal management solutions.
With India’s data centre capacity projected to grow from 1.3GW to 7GW in the next 5-7 years, Vertiv represents more than just a training facility – it’s a strategic hub for developing the talent needed to power Asia’s digital transformation. As David Yao, Senior Director of Vertiv’s Pune Hub, notes, “We’re not just maintaining equipment – we’re sustaining the critical infrastructure that powers our digital world. This academy ensures we’ll have the skilled workforce to meet tomorrow’s challenges today.”
The Academy operates as part of the broader Vertiv Hub/IBS strategy and Hub Academy curriculum, focused on talent development and continuous improvement across Vertiv’s global delivery network. This dedicated hands-on facility also serves as a hub for AI, power, and cooling technologies, as well as next-generation white space solutions, fostering continuous learning.