To Support a Sector Growing by R$15B Annually, Generation, Equinix Foundation, Cisco,  ODATA and Vertiv Are Joining Forces to Co-fund Training Programs, Shape Curriculums, and Hire Graduates

São Paulo, Brazil, March 25, 2026 – Brazil has been chosen as the starting point for a groundbreaking global coalition (the “Coalition”) focused on training professionals for the Data Center sector, one of the most strategic areas of the contemporary digital economy. Led by the Equinix Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Equinix, Inc., the coalition brings together ODATA – An Aligned Data Centers Company, Cisco Systems, Inc., Vertiv and Generation, a global nonprofit focused on economic mobility that has supported 150,000 people across 17 countries, in a collaboration that combines technical training with economic inclusion. This marks a new kind of collaboration for the data center industry – one that brings data center and ecosystem companies together to invest in workforce development at a global scale. The first two cohorts will kick off in Brazil this June and October, with plans to expand to new markets later in 2026.

This move comes at a time of strong expansion of digital infrastructure in the country. According to data from the National Confederation of Industry (CNI), by 2029, data centers are expected to account for up to 60% of the global data storage and processing capacity. Currently, Brazil ranks 11th in the world in the number of facilities, with approximately 163 data centers in operation, mostly in the state of São Paulo.

Furthermore, the momentum is accelerating: According to data from JPMorgan, the domestic data center market should prepare to receive investments totaling up to R$60 billion over the next four years, with the most optimistic projection reaching R$100 billion in this time period. According to the report, the Brazilian market is expected to attract global giants seeking regional expansion in the coming years. Driven by the growth of cloud computing, the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the exponential acceleration in data creation, the sector increasingly demands specialized labor. This workforce challenge is too big for any single company to solve alone.

For these reasons, the new Coalition was launched with the critical objective of developing Data Center Technicians and IT Support, as well as connecting professionals to furthering career opportunities in a highly complex, strategically relevant segment. Coalition members co-fund training, shape curriculums to meet real employer needs, and hire graduates, expanding access for young people and adults from underserved communities to high-demand careers. The first two cohorts will train 50 learners for Customer Operations Technician roles, with direct job placement support connecting graduates to employment opportunities. The Coalition announcement coincides with International Data Center Day (March 25th), a global celebration of the vital infrastructure powering modern digital life and the skilled professionals who keep it running.

For Andrea Matsui, CEO at Generation Brazil, the coalition represents progress in integrating economic development and social impact: “Data centers are the backbone of the digital economy. When we structure qualified training for this sector, we are not only responding to a market demand, but also creating concrete paths to social mobility in a strategic area for the country.”

Representatives from partner companies also emphasize that the growth of digital infrastructure requires continuous investment in human capital.

“The data center industry is growing at an unprecedented pace, but that growth only reaches its full potential when the communities around us grow with it. Through the Equinix Foundation, we’re not just building Equinix’s talent pipeline, we’re building the pipeline the entire industry needs. This coalition reflects what’s at the heart of Equinix: the belief that interconnection creates stronger outcomes, and that collaboration is how we solve challenges too big for any one company to take on alone,” said Victor Arnaud, Managing Director, Equinix Brazil and Equinix Foundation Board Member.

“ODATA is proud to partner with this coalition to drive real impact in Brazil. The expansion of the data center sector requires a new generation of professionals prepared to operate increasingly critical infrastructure. Initiatives like this reinforce ODATA’s commitment to contributing to the development of local talent, connecting economic growth, operational efficiency and economic inclusion in Brazil,” said Rafael Bomeny, CFO of ODATA.

“As the data center sector becomes the engine of the AI era, it requires a diverse and specialized workforce to thrive. We are proud to join this coalition because it represents a powerful, collaborative approach to closing the digital divide in countries like Brazil by equipping local community members with the technical skills needed to excel in a high-complexity, high-demand industry,” said Charu Adesnik, Director, Cisco Social Impact and Inclusion Office.

“The expansion of digital infrastructure in Latin America is increasing the demand for specialized talent at a pace the industry cannot address individually,” said Alex Sasaki, Sales VP for Vertiv Latin America. “Collaborative initiatives like this are essential to develop the skills required to support the next generation of data center operations.”

In addition to meeting the growing demand for specialized professionals, the initiative carries regional ambition. The model, developed in Brazil, is expected to serve as the foundation for expanding the coalition to other countries by 2027, consolidating a global training network for digital infrastructure and opening the door for new partners to join.

Registration for the program is scheduled to begin in April and will be announced on the social media channels of Generation Brazil.

About Generation
Generation is a global nonprofit that believes in the power of employment to change lives. The organization trains and places adults into careers that would otherwise be inaccessible, and advocates to improve the workforce system for everyone. In the decade since launch, Generation has more than 150,000 graduates who have earned more than $2.2 billion in life-changing wages, and works with more than 24,000 employers, implementation partners, and funders. In Brazil, our organization has focused on connecting talent from a wide range of backgrounds to the growing needs of the technology and sales sectors, expanding access to  living-wage careers.

About the Equinix Foundation

The Equinix Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Equinix, Inc., is dedicated to enabling a more accessible, sustainable, and interconnected digital future for everyone, everywhere. In collaboration with partners and fueled by the passion of employees, the Foundation drives digital inclusion through three key impact areas: access to digital infrastructure and connectivity, digital literacy and skill building, and technical career development for data center operations.

About ODATA – An Aligned Data Centers Company

ODATA is one of the leading digital infrastructure platforms in Latin America, specializing in the development and operation of large-scale data centers. The company serves global cloud providers, technology companies, and large organizations that demand high availability, security, and energy efficiency. With a presence in several countries in the region, ODATA acts as one of the main drivers of growth in Latin American digital infrastructure.

About Cisco

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide technology leader that is revolutionizing the way organizations connect and protect in the AI era. For more than 40 years, Cisco has securely connected the world. With its industry leading AI-powered solutions and services, Cisco enables its customers, partners and communities to unlock innovation, enhance productivity and strengthen digital resilience. With purpose at its core, Cisco remains committed to creating a more connected and inclusive future for all.

About Vertiv

Vertiv (NYSE: VRT) brings together hardware, software, analytics and ongoing services to enable its customers’ vital applications to run continuously, perform optimally and grow with their business needs. Vertiv solves the most important challenges facing today’s data centers, communication networks and commercial and industrial facilities with a portfolio of power, cooling and IT infrastructure solutions and services that extends from the cloud to the edge of the network. Headquartered in Westerville, Ohio, USA, Vertiv does business in more than 130 countries. For more information, and for the latest news and content from Vertiv, visit Vertiv.com.