A Wake-Up Call for the Architecture, Environmental, Civil and Construction Industry
AI and digital transformation are changing how businesses operate, provide goods and services, and deliver value. They’re also reshaping how architecture, environmental, civil and construction (AEC) projects are being executed.
AEC firms that don’t jump on the digital integration bandwagon now will get left behind. They’ll risk missing timelines as well as missing out on clients and opportunities for high-growth projects.
This urgency is intensified in data center construction projects, where spending surged in 2024, driving 94% of nonresidential construction growth — a clear sign that AEC firms unable to keep pace with today’s evolving digital, speed and efficiency requirements risk irrelevance tomorrow.
The Unique Demands of Data Center Construction Projects
Data center building design is primarily shaped by the unprecedented demands of AI and cloud computing infrastructures, coupled with requirements for power, scalability and sustainability.
Unlike traditional commercial structures, building a data center requires architects, engineers, project managers, and mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) professionals who are well versed in the latest digital technology. Data center construction projects require MEP-heavy infrastructure and seamless integration of AI, power and cooling systems, which amplifies the importance of design and construction teams collaborating in real time.
Niche Expertise Required for Data Center Builds
AEC firms that specialize in data center building design are looking for professionals with direct experience in power-intensive projects for Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS) or other major data center clients. Ideally, they want people who have a boots-on-the-ground trade background but have also gained the skills and experience to lead complex design-build efforts, coordinate across multidisciplinary teams and navigate through evolving demands.
With Actalent’s unique capabilities and extensive experience sourcing and placing MEP engineers, construction managers, project controls experts, QA/QC inspectors, Building Information Modeling (BIM) specialists and other highly technical roles for data center construction, our recruiters know what the right resume looks like. From engineering and power to mechanical, Actalent is your single source for data center project needs.
New Data Center Hot Spots Require Travel-Ready Talent
Driven by access to abundant, reliable power, land availability and tax incentives, data center construction is expanding beyond Silicon Valley into Arizona, Virginia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, New York state, Texas and other emerging markets.
AEC firms must now compete — and build— in remote locations where they often lack existing partnerships, skilled talent in the areas they need or logistical infrastructure. Without a national talent strategy or a strong recruiting partner to help them staff these more remote job sites, many firms struggle to scale across markets while maintaining quality, compliance and speed.
Don’t let a rural or faraway location slow down the recruiting process for your data center construction projects. Actalent has many regional offices staffed by recruiting experts with a vast network of experienced consultants who are accustomed to traveling and prepared to deploy quickly.
Talent Readiness as a Competitive Advantage for Data Center Bids
Bids for some data center construction projects require proof of expertise on hand. Partnering with Actalent ensures immediate access to right-fit, bid-ready resumes. They can be used as validation for your company’s project readiness to help you secure more projects in more places.
Supplementing your workforce with experienced talent from Actalent provides a gateway to success for new or smaller companies looking to break into the data center construction space. We can also help experienced firms maintain agility during contract acquisition cycles between data center construction projects.
Winning Bids Lead to Urgent Data Center Hiring Needs
Once a data center bid is won, you must quickly backfill positions with experienced consultants and deploy them to a remote location to begin construction. Fortunately, Actalent can place skilled, travel-ready consultants within days or weeks. We also offer various contract-to-hire options to help mitigate risk in hiring decisions and improve retention over the long term.
In addition to a skilled, experienced workforce, Actalent offers workforce dashboards, compensation benchmarking research and market analytics. These valuable, data-backed insights help inform future hiring and budgeting decisions while preempting labor shortages.
Futureproofing Starts Now
To succeed in today’s competitive environment, AEC firms must think two steps ahead — not just to win today’s data center construction projects but also to plan for the next win and the one after that. Because unlike commercial construction, building a data center is typically a one-and-done project. There are limited opportunities for return work at the same site.
Firms that prioritize long-term workforce readiness and geographic mobility will outpace those that don’t as the AI data center demand continues.
Build Your Digital-First Data Center Workforce with Actalent
Staying competitive in the age of AI, and the proliferation of the data centers it demands, requires more than digital tools. You need a workforce that can lead, adapt and deliver in high-stakes, high-speed environments wherever they may be.
Actalent delivers next-gen construction talent with the national reach, strategic insight and specialization you need to stay agile, reduce bid-to-build cycles and secure critical expertise ahead of your competitors in the growing data center construction space.
Contact Actalent today to strengthen the talent acquisition and retention strategy for your next data center construction project.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Data Center Construction Projects
Need Help with Data Center Construction?
Actalent delivers high-level design and management solutions that fit your needs.
Relevant Insights
-
Article
Simplifying Hiring in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: How Actalent Bridges the Gap for Employers and CandidatesAI is changing how people apply for jobs and how employers hire—bringing both efficiency and new challenges to the hiring process.
Read More -
Article
7 Common Mistakes Hiring Managers Make When Hiring Their Technical TeamDiscover seven common hiring mistakes and learn how to avoid them to build a strong technical team.
Read More -
Article
Skills Needed in AI to Build a Future-Ready WorkforceLearn how to recruit and hire engineering and science candidates with the skills needed in AI to build a future-ready workforce.
Read More