Meta Platforms and the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) announced a partnership to train workers for data center construction projects as demand for skilled labor continues to grow.
The initiative, called America's Workforce Academy, is backed by a $115 million investment and will launch in Indiana, Louisiana, Ohio and Texas. The program includes career readiness and safety instruction followed by five weeks of hands-on construction training. Participants who complete the program will receive job offers from contractors working on Meta data center projects.
Qualified participants may also receive scholarships, travel assistance, housing and living stipends during training.
According to ABC, the program is designed to help address ongoing workforce shortages by creating a pipeline of entry-level construction professionals. Training will be offered through ABC chapter facilities and is intended to prepare participants with foundational construction skills, safety training and jobsite readiness for data center projects.
The partnership targets new entrants to the industry, including recent high school graduates, veterans and individuals seeking careers in construction.
