TLDR: Singtel’s regional data centre arm, Nxera, along with its partners, is embarking on a significant hiring initiative to fill over 500 positions in Singapore. This drive is a direct response to the escalating demand for AI computing infrastructure. Notably, approximately 40% of these roles are entry-level, challenging the notion that AI will displace junior staff, and instead highlighting the critical need for a workforce to build and maintain AI-centric infrastructure.
Singapore – Singtel’s regional data centre subsidiary, Nxera, in collaboration with its industry partners, has announced plans to recruit more than 500 individuals in Singapore over the coming months. This substantial hiring push is primarily driven by the robust and growing demand from enterprises for advanced artificial intelligence (AI) computing capabilities.
Defying prevailing concerns about AI’s potential to displace junior employees within the technology sector, Nxera has confirmed that around 40% of these new openings will be for entry-level positions. This strategic focus underscores the paradox articulated by Nxera chief executive Bill Chang, who stated, ‘This is a paradox: One side of AI says it’s going to disrupt jobs… The other side of AI needs (workers) – that’s us, building AI infrastructure.’
Mr. Chang elaborated on the sector’s promising outlook at the inaugural Sustainable AI Data Centre Career Day, an event spearheaded by Nxera on July 25. The event saw the participation of approximately 1,000 students from various tertiary institutions at ITE College East, as part of the ongoing SkillsFuture Festival.
Nxera, which currently employs over 200 staff, is 80% owned by Digital InfraCo, Singtel’s dedicated infrastructure unit, with the remaining 20% held by global investment firm KKR. The company is actively developing AI data centres that significantly differ from traditional facilities. These new centres are designed to accommodate an exceptionally high density of computing power within a given space, which consequently leads to substantial heat generation and increased electrical and water consumption.
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Looking ahead, Nxera remains on schedule to launch DC Tuas, its next data centre in Singapore, in early 2026. A clear indicator of the strong and resilient demand for sophisticated data centre applications is that approximately half of DC Tuas’ capacity has already been pre-sold, as highlighted by Mr. Chang.
