Meta is investing $115 million this year to launch America’s Workforce Academy, a free five-week training program for data center technicians. The initiative guarantees a job upon completion and covers tuition, housing, and a daily stipend. The program is open to all, including recent graduates and career changers, and requires no prior experience, according to fortune.com.
The academy is a collaboration between Meta, commercial real estate firm CBRE, the Associated Builders and Contractors trade association, and the National Urban League civil rights organization. Rachel Peterson, Meta’s vice president of data centers, described the program as a commitment to building a skilled workforce with long-term focus. The training leads to an industry-recognized certification from the National Center for Construction Education and Research.
This effort addresses the growing shortage of skilled tradespeople in the U.S., particularly in roles like electricians, mechanics, and fiber technicians. Demand for blue-collar jobs in construction, HVAC, and electrical sectors is rising faster than the national average, amid debates over the value of four-year college degrees and uncertainties in white-collar employment. Meta’s program aims to create accessible career pathways in these high-demand fields.
The first cohort of America’s Workforce Academy is expected to begin training this year, with Meta covering all associated costs and guaranteeing employment for graduates, as detailed by fortune.com.