Tommy Solberg smiles when he looks back on the start of his career in the data center industry 16 years ago.
What began as a random assignment for an electrical company in 2009 has become an exciting journey through an industry experiencing explosive growth. "It was a bit like starting in the oil industry during the launch of the oil adventure – an entrepreneurial experience," says Tommy about the early years in what was then a relatively new industry in Norway.Today, the experienced data center veteran is Site Manager for Skygard's new facility in Hovinbyen - a project that sets new standards for how data centers can be built and operated in Norway. With his broad experience, Tommy was the natural choice when Skygard was building its team.
Three Pillars for the Data Center of the FutureFor Tommy and Skygard, the new data center is all about three fundamental values that distinguish them from competitors: sustainability, sovereign ownership, and security.Sustainability ranks high on the priority list. The facility in Hovinbyen will deliver surplus heat to 12,000 homes in Oslo. This is an impressive circular economy solution that ensures good utilization of energy. "We aim to be pioneers in sustainability," explains Tommy, emphasizing how the company consistently chooses the most environmentally friendly solutions.In an industry dominated by foreign players, Skygard's Norwegian roots attract both customers and employees who want to work for a company with Norwegian values. "We work with customers who have an important societal mission," says Tommy, pointing to how Norwegian ownership is reflected in the company's entire approach.Security is crucial and forms the foundation for Skygard's approach to developing and operating the new data center. Everyone working at the facility must be approved up to "confidential" level, and the building is designed to withstand everything from solar storms to potential threats from foreign powers. "The Norwegian Armed Forces is one of the few that shares our perspective on security," explains Tommy. Even suppliers and contractors must undergo authorization interviews and security clearance before gaining access.
Quality Attracts TalentTommy is clear about the philosophy behind the project and that the strategy works. When Skygard advertised for a service technician position, they received surprisingly good response - far exceeding expectations in an industry where there's fierce competition for these talents. Among the applicants was a broad spectrum of experience, from ROV pilots who have controlled underwater operations to plumbers with industrial backgrounds."We focus on building strong, interdisciplinary teams, and we pick people with different backgrounds," explains Tommy about the recruitment strategy. "It's also important for us not just to recruit people with good technical competence, but who also share the values Skygard represents. Several of our new employees state that they sought us out partly because of our focus on sustainability and Norwegian ownership."Tommy experiences great interest in what Skygard is building. He believes Skygard has strong appeal because people want to be part of something meaningful.For Tommy, who has followed the industry for 20 years and experienced both highs and lows, the Skygard project represents a career highlight. He has four to six meetings daily and often works evenings to make everything work out, but he's passionate about the task. "It's a position that encompasses various professional fields and tasks," he says about his job as site manager, but it's precisely this variation and the opportunity to build something new from the ground up that motivates him.
