Gateway Technical College in Racine launched a Microsoft Datacenter Academy last fall, one of several dozen such programs around the world.
The timing lines up with Microsoft's growth in Racine County. The company opened its first data center in Mount Pleasant in June, and a second, adjacent facility is under construction.
Over two semesters, students complete four courses covering IT skills, hardware and software support, server technologies and data center technician work to earn a Microsoft Data Center Certificate.
The courses are hands-on, preparing students for roles as data center technicians, IT support specialists, cloud infrastructure associates or facilities operations technicians who monitor and replace hardware and troubleshoot problems.
By the end of May, 14 students had earned the certificate and another 206 were enrolled, according to the college. Scholarships funded by Microsoft cover the $2,277 tuition and about $760 for books for program students.
