Microsoft Launches Data Centre Skilling Programme in Hyderabad
Young India Skills University Vice Chancellor Dr Subba Rao said the university had introduced a three-month data centre management programme as part of the academy.
Hyderabad: With demand for data centres rising alongside India’s digital infrastructure push, Microsoft has launched its global Data Centre Academy here, aiming to train young people for specialised technical roles that are increasingly hard to fill.
The programme was launched at IIIT Hyderabad in collaboration with Young India Skills University, with United Way of Hyderabad as the non-profit partner and Selasian Consultancy Services as the training partner. Officials said the initiative was designed to prepare candidates for entry and mid-level jobs in data centre operations, a sector seeing rapid expansion in Telangana and other parts of the country.
Young India Skills University Vice Chancellor Dr Subba Rao said the university had introduced a three-month data centre management programme as part of the academy. “We are starting with a cohort of 30 students. The idea is to build job-ready skills in a domain where demand is growing faster than available talent,” he said. He added that top-performing students may be considered for internship opportunities with Microsoft.
The Data Centre Academy follows a globally standardised curriculum and focuses on hands-on learning rather than classroom-only instruction. The course spans about 600 hours over three months and includes practical exposure to real-world data centre environments.
Bharath Merugu of United Way of Hyderabad said the programme was aimed at making youth employable in a fast-changing technology ecosystem. “This gives students a clear pathway into digital infrastructure roles that are critical to the economy,” he said, noting that certification from Young India Skills University adds formal value to the training.
The curriculum covers data centre fundamentals, power and cooling systems, network infrastructure, safety and security, statutory compliance and facilities management. On completion, students will receive certification from Young India Skills University, with select candidates eligible to pursue an internationally recognised EPI certification.
