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Data Centers are the New Manufacturing Hubs that Will Rebuild the Middle Class
By Kirk Offel, CEO of Overwatch Mission Critical
By Kirk Offel, a Navy submarine veteran and the CEO of Overwatch Mission Critical, a Texas-based talent incubator that trains and hires future leaders for high-skill jobs in the data center industry.
Rebuilding the middle class is a commendable goal, but we won’t reach it by reconstituting the factory-based economy of the 1970s. Instead, we must look towards the future. And the future is artificial intelligence powered by data centers.
A New Kind of Manufacturing
In five years, there will only be two industries–data centers and data center services. Knowing this, our choice is clear: do we want to lead this new economy or waste our time chasing dreams of decades past?
I want us to lead. We’ve done it before, and we can do it again.
Our economy rose to greatness on the backs of skilled tradesmen—electricians, machinists, plant operators, and craftsmen. These were careers that didn’t require a four-year degree, yet they offered stable income, dignity, and a path to upward mobility.
Data centers are the manufacturing giants of the digital age. They power everything from cloud computing and artificial intelligence to e-commerce and online communications.
But you don’t need to be a coder or engineer to work in this fast-growing field. In fact, most of the jobs are the same kinds of skilled trades that made us the envy of the world.
High-Paying, Future-Proof Jobs
There are five phases in the life cycle of a data center–developing, designing, delivering, commissioning, and operating. This cycle requires at least 265 different trades and jobs, everything from electricians, HVAC technicians, fiber installers, diesel mechanics, network engineers, and facility operators.
Many of these positions rely on certifications, apprenticeships, and practical, hands-on expertise that is far more financially attainable than four years of college tuition.
For example, a journeyman electrician working in a hyperscale data center can earn six figures with the right credentials. An entry-level technician can earn more than the average college graduate—and there has never been a better time to explore the data center industry as a viable career path.
The Experience Gap and the American Dream
Data centers have been around for 20 years, but they cannot keep up with the demand for AI-powered tech. The industry is currently at least 500,000 jobs short, and companies are having difficulty replacing those who are retiring with equally talented and experienced technicians.
This experience gap is the greatest threat to the data center industry, greater even than power generation, burdensome regulations, or local opposition.
That’s why the leaders in this industry, including my company, Overwatch Mission Critical, are laser-focused on training and certifying the next generation of data center personnel. We want to deliver the American Dream to this generation of young people who want a high-paying, future-proof career.
These Americans will be working in positions in three years that haven’t even been invented yet. They will have the opportunity to enter a fast-growing industry and find work that suits their talents, needs, and career goals.
A New Generation of Prosperity
Because here’s the thing about the data center industry: we don’t value experience–if we did, we’d never be able to fill all the positions we need. We value the ability to be in an uncomfortable environment, learn at an insane rate, and have a mission critical mentality.
That’s what I learned in the U.S. Navy, and it’s the same mindset that will power our nation into a new era of prosperity.
Our grandparents made a good decision when they decided to work in a manufacturing center for a responsible American company. Those careers spanned 25, 30, or 40 years, and that generation took great pride in their work and their ability to support their families.
We can achieve that stability again, but it won’t come from the manufacturing sector. It will come from the industry of the future, and the tradesmen and women who keep it running smoothly.
Kirk Offel stands at the forefront of the Mission Critical and Data Center industries as the CEO of OVERWATCH Mission Critical. His company offers a unique combination of traditional Strategic Data Center Consulting and innovative full-service, Owner Representation professional services, catering to the Mission Critical and Telecom Industries. Kirk’s journey in this field began in 1995 with his service in the US Navy on the Nuclear Fast Attack Submarine SSN-691, laying the foundation for over two decades of substantial contributions to the industry.
Throughout his career, Kirk has assumed key executive roles in several prestigious organizations, including Medtronic, Active Power, Eaton Corporation, Hewlett-Packard’s Technology Services Consulting practice (EYP), CyrusOne Data Centers, NOVA Mission Critical, and Aligned Data Centers. His diverse experience has enabled him to lead initiatives and drive innovation within these companies.
In addition to his executive pursuits, Kirk is the founder of the Data Center Austin Conference (DC/AC), currently ranked #2 out of all data center industry conferences. This technical summit is dedicated to promoting discovery and collaboration among data center professionals, focusing on addressing the challenges of future capacity needs. This initiative underscores his commitment to fostering community and knowledge sharing in the industry.