DCD Intelligence reports that data center construction and commissioning rates are exceeding available technical staffing levels, with over two-thirds citing operational shortages.

Data center expansion is massively outpacing available talent, as the industry strains under the weight of its own growth, according to the latest workforce survey from DCD Intelligence.

Staffing remains stretched across all sectors, with more than two-thirds of developers and operators reporting levels below operational requirements. Nearly a third are operating at under 80 percent of demand.

The report notes that these shortages span all critical functions, risking reduced performance and increased downtime. Gaps are most acute in facilities and physical infrastructure, power and cooling systems, and IT operations.

These shortages are primarily driven by recruitment challenges and a limited talent pool. Nearly half of survey respondents identified a lack of technical knowledge in prospective hires as the primary hiring barrier, while others pointed to low industry awareness.

The survey also analyzed hiring practices and talent sourcing strategies. Companies are increasingly recruiting from adjacent technical infrastructure and utilities sectors, while cross-industry hires from telecommunications rank third.

Demand for fluid dynamics and power expertise has been the primary driver of workforce expansion, prompting companies to recruit from power and water utilities, as well as the oil and gas sector.

Companies are also expanding education-based pipelines, including internships, apprenticeships, and university partnerships.

“Looking across these different issues, the one clear thread is that the industry is lacking structure in its recruitment and training processes. Staffing gaps, poor onboarding, inconsistent training, and slow upskilling are all caused by the absence of consistent and deliberate systems for building and sustaining talent,” the report said.

“The organizations best positioned to win out of the industry’s explosive growth are those that treat their workforce development as core infrastructure to their businesses. Investing in deliberately structured training and standardized onboarding are a must, as is upskilling staff on AI and other new technologies coming into use in the industry. Without a shift in this regard, skill gaps and recruitment shortages will continue, and could widen in the coming years as the pace of technological change continues to accelerate.”