Will Hirsch

• The problem: Data center builds are hitting their infrastructure milestones, but the people systems meant to staff, certify, and run those facilities are quietly falling behind, turning an "on schedule" build into one that's not actually on track for a fully-staffed launch
• Why it happens: HR platforms get sequenced as back-office IT instead of critical-path infrastructure, tooling gets built before requirements are defined, and each region configures data locally so leaders can't answer basic questions like staffing-to-plan, certification status, or labor cost vs. budget with confidence
• The fix: A practical playbook for HR leaders. Define requirements before configuring systems, build one global source of truth for people data, and turn HR analytics into a forward-looking planning tool so scaling a new campus becomes a repeatable process rather than a one-off scramble

This interactive Q&A explores how organizations are addressing workforce shortages by shifting focus upstream and strengthening their ability to absorb and grow new entrants. It examines what happens after awareness is created and how early career pathways, structured progression, and frontline leadership determine whether entry‑level talent becomes productive and retained, or churns out. The discussion will surface what differentiates organizations that successfully build bench strength from those that remain trapped in cyclical hiring pressure.