Author – Ritesh Ranjan: Free training for 1,500 engineering students will build talent for India’s AI-ready digital infrastructure
Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure, is supporting the expansion of the IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation data centre skilling initiative into Maharashtra through its corporate social responsibility programme. The initiative aims to prepare engineering students for careers in data centre operations, digital infrastructure management and AI-ready facilities.
As part of the expansion, IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skills University (RTMSSU). The MoU was signed during the Start-up Frontier 1.0 exhibition and conference at the Y B Chavan Auditorium in Mumbai in the presence of Maharashtra Governor Shri Jishnu Dev Varma.
Training 1,500 students in 2026
Through the initiative, Vertiv will provide free skill development training to 1,500 engineering students during 2026. The programme builds on a collaboration launched in 2025 between Vertiv and IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation to strengthen India’s talent pipeline for the rapidly expanding digital infrastructure industry.
The training will focus on the operation and management of data centres, which are becoming increasingly important as businesses adopt cloud computing, artificial intelligence, digital services and high-performance computing. Students will learn about the systems that keep these facilities running continuously, including power, cooling, monitoring and information technology infrastructure.
Vertiv’s expertise covers critical areas such as data centre infrastructure, thermal management, power systems, remote monitoring and predictive maintenance. These topics are essential for maintaining uptime and operational efficiency in always-on digital environments.
Maharashtra-wide academic reach
RTMSSU will use its network of pre-incubation centres across 60 colleges in Maharashtra to extend the programme’s reach. This network can help students from different regions access industry-oriented training without needing to relocate to major technology hubs.
Participants will receive certified online training, along with opportunities for internships and mentorship. The blended approach is expected to give students both foundational knowledge and practical exposure to workplace requirements. It can also help bridge the gap between conventional engineering curricula and the specialised skills demanded by the data centre sector.
Earlier versions of the initiative included self-paced online learning and immersive in-person training. The curriculum covered data centre operations and maintenance, thermal and power management, security, network systems, racks, power distribution units, ticketing tools and industry practices.
Preparing talent for AI growth
India’s rapid adoption of artificial intelligence is creating a parallel demand for reliable digital infrastructure. AI applications require large-scale computing capacity, energy-efficient cooling systems and uninterrupted power management. As data centres expand, companies will need professionals who understand both traditional facility operations and emerging intelligent monitoring technologies.
Dr. A. S. Prasad, Vice President, Product Management and Engineering, Vertiv India, said that collaboration between industry and academia is essential to build a skilled workforce. He added that practical knowledge, industry exposure and specialised training can help students contribute to India’s evolving digital infrastructure ecosystem.
Dr. M. J. Shankar Raman, Chief Executive Officer of IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation, noted that data centres are central to the growth of AI-driven industries. He said the programme aims to develop the technical talent required to operate and maintain these critical facilities.
Strengthening industry-academia collaboration
Vertiv has also partnered with IIT Bombay, IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation and IIT (BHU) to help engineering students develop practical skills in data centre operations and AI-ready infrastructure. The programme reflects a wider need for industry-backed education that combines certification, mentorship and real-world learning.
By expanding to Maharashtra, the Vertiv-IIT Madras initiative is creating a stronger national talent pipeline. It could improve student employability while helping India meet the workforce demands of its fast-growing cloud, AI and digital infrastructure economy.
FAQs
1. What is the Vertiv and IIT Madras data centre skilling programme?
The programme is a skill development initiative supported by Vertiv and implemented with IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation to train engineering students in data centre operations, digital infrastructure management and AI-ready technologies.
2. How many students will receive training under the programme in 2026?
The initiative aims to provide free data centre skill development training to 1,500 engineering students during 2026.
3. Who is partnering with IIT Madras Pravartak for the Maharashtra expansion?
IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation has signed an MoU with Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skills University (RTMSSU) to expand the programme across Maharashtra.
4. What topics will students learn in the data centre training programme?
Students will learn about data centre operations and maintenance, power management, cooling and thermal systems, remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, IT infrastructure, network systems, racks, power distribution units, security and industry practices.
5. What benefits will students receive from the Vertiv-IIT Madras programme?
Participants will receive certified online training, along with opportunities for internships, mentorship and practical industry exposure. The programme is designed to improve employability in data centres, cloud infrastructure and AI-ready digital infrastructure.