It should come as no surprise to many in the data center community that finding talented data center mechanical and electrical engineers are difficult to come by. Compound this problem with the fact that the number of students graduating with engineering degrees (mechanical & electrical specifically) has been on a downward slide. In the UK, the Institute for Mechanical Engineers has reported that the number of students applying for engineering degrees has decreased by 1.3%. Although the number seems small if the trend continues it could mean more than just a shortage of talent, but could impact the innovation for the future of manufacturing and other areas like data center infrastructure design or processors.
The problem is not just restricted to the UK, in the US similar declines have been seen while in countries such as India or China there is an explosion of engineering students becoming available. The demand is only increasing and the call to both the UK and the US government is to try and entice students with government sponsored programs and scholarship grants for those interested in engineering.
