The Education Advice Service was designed to provide industry professionals with one-to-one guidance regarding their professional knowledge, certification and qualification progression, and next steps to boost their careers. It will also be valuable for those looking to enter the industry as it gives them the opportunity to discuss and explore the best route to take.

The service is headed by the CNet technical team, Paul Gorman and Pat Drew, who have over 60 years of combined experience within the data centre and network infrastructure sectors.

Gorman is responsible for the technical content of CNet’s technical education programs spanning The Global Digital Infrastructure Education Framework. Having worked as a telecommunications engineer for the British Army and within commercial environments working to design and implement complex network and IT delivery programs, he is well-placed to offer advice and guidance regarding development and knowledge progression.  

Drew has worked in various high-profile roles from network engineer to data centre manager, covering Europe, North America, and Asia. He successfully completed the business sustainability management program from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL). He is helping CNet spread the message about the importance of sustainability across the industry.

Making use of the new service is quick and easy, individuals just complete a simple online form on the CNet Training website, and a member of the team will be in touch to liaise directly with the individual to provide free advice and guidance.

The launch of the Education Advice Service will also help to tackle the industry’s ongoing skills shortage by providing information on education pathways to help get people into the industry and to give industry professionals the confidence, support, and information to help them excel in their career within the digital infrastructure industry.

“We are excited to launch the Digital Infrastructure Education Advice Service,” Andrew Stevens, president and CEO, CNet. “With such a huge amount of technical expertise in-house here at CNet, we wanted to provide the opportunity to share this with industry professionals to help their own knowledge and career progression as well as help those that may be considering entering the industry. Paul and Pat have so much valuable experience and knowledge that can be used to genuinely help people, so this is just a little way CNet can help give back to those in, or thinking about joining, the industry.”