Equinix Hosts Newark Students for Immersive Data Center Tour, Expanding Access to Tech Career Pathways
SECAUCUS, NJ, June 17, 2026 — Equinix, Inc. (Nasdaq: EQIX), the world’s digital infrastructure company®, hosted 20 Newark Public School District students from the Newark School of Data Science & Information Technology for an immersive tour of its Secaucus Data Center and Campus. The visit marks a meaningful milestone in the collaboration between the Equinix Foundation, Newark Public Schools, and The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award USA program to expand access to high-quality tech career pathways for students. The site visit is part of Equinix’s Pathways to Tech, an early-career talent program that provides students ages 14-18 with hands-on experience with digital infrastructure through interactive sessions with professionals, data center tours and immersive education events designed to connect young people to opportunities they might never have known existed.
A direct demonstration of Equinix’s newly published U.S. Community Principles in action, the visit reflects the company’s core commitment to prioritizing long-term local engagement and workforce development, and the Equinix Foundation’s strategic focus on digital inclusion. Students engaged directly with Equinix site leaders to discover different job roles, such as HVAC Engineer, Network Technician, Operations Manager, and Security Director. They also learned about how the Secaucus Equinix facility operates as a critical hub for global financial markets, powering the infrastructure that banks and exchanges depend on every second of every day.
“When students step inside a data center, they’re not just seeing infrastructure, they’re seeing the foundation of the digital economy and their role in it,” said Paige Rodgers, Director, Equinix Foundation and Equinix Community Impact. “Pathways to Tech exists to turn that spark into a career trajectory so students in Newark and communities like it have a clear, supported path into the industry.”
By deepening its investment in programs such as Pathways to Tech, as well as Foundation grant funding, Equinix reinforces its dedication to being an active, supportive neighbor in the communities where it operates.
“For many students, the visit was eye-opening,” said Suzanne J. Currie, Chief Executive Officer of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award USA. “It provided a tangible connection between the classroom and future careers while highlighting how technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, engineering, and digital infrastructure are shaping the future economy. Through this partnership with Equinix, we are helping Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award USA participants gain valuable exposure to promising workforce opportunities, career pathways, internships and more.”
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award USA is a world-leading youth development program for young people ages 14–24 that encourages personal growth through voluntary service, skill development, physical recreation, and adventure. With a focus on workforce development, the Award offers students internships, apprenticeships and scholarships. As part of a program recognized in more than 120 countries, young people find “Passion, Purpose and Place” by earning the Award on the Bronze, Silver and Gold levels, receiving a global credential that signals resilience, leadership, and commitment. They also join a worldwide community of high achievers who are shaping their futures — and contributing to a better world.
In March, Equinix announced a global expansion of Pathways to Tech. After a two-year pilot reaching nearly 2,000 students, the program is now scaling to all Equinix locations worldwide, including New Jersey — bringing the same hands-on access and real career connections to students in every community where Equinix operates.
The Equinix Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Equinix, Inc., is dedicated to enabling a more accessible, sustainable, and interconnected digital future for everyone, everywhere. In collaboration with partners and fueled by the passion of employees, the Foundation drives digital inclusion through three key impact areas: access to digital infrastructure and connectivity, digital literacy and skill building, and technical career development for data center operations.
Equinix, Inc. (Nasdaq: EQIX) shortens the path to boundless connectivity anywhere in the world. Its digital infrastructure, data center footprint and interconnected ecosystems empower innovations that enhance our work, life and planet. Equinix connects economies, countries, organizations and communities, delivering seamless digital experiences and cutting-edge AI – quickly, efficiently and everywhere.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award USA is a world-leading youth development program for young people ages 14–24 that encourages personal growth through voluntary service, skill development, physical recreation, and adventure. With a focus on workforce development, the Award offers students internships, apprenticeships, and scholarships. As part of a program recognized in more than 120 countries, young people find “Passion, Purpose and Place” by earning the Award on the Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels, receiving a global credential that signals resilience, leadership, and commitment. They also join a worldwide community of high achievers who are shaping their futures—and contributing to a better world.