The U.S. has approximately 5,400 data centers today, representing about 50% of the world’s capacity. Thanks to the AI infrastructure boom, this number is rising fast. Experts predict data center capacity will nearly double by 2030, growing at 14% a year. To meet demand, companies will need to bring over 400 new data centers online in a few short years, on top of maintaining and expanding existing ones.
A lot goes into data center builds, from site selection to power grid planning to equipment procurement. However, there’s one crucial element that isn’t being discussed enough. Who will actually build and maintain them?
How the AI Infrastructure Boom Impacts Construction Hiring
Construction and skilled trades are already facing a talent shortfall. Staffing agency iRecruit reports that the construction industry will need an additional 349,000 to 499,000 workers to meet growing demand in 2026.
Each new data center brings hundreds of permanent jobs, but the real job story lies in construction. Microsoft’s mega-campus in Wisconsin, for example, created 3,000 construction jobs. Many of these projects last for years, with the highest needs being:
- Electricians
- Commercial HVAC technicians
- General construction laborers
The high demand translates into higher wages. Data center construction jobs pay up to 30% higher than standard construction jobs, into six figures in some cases, with bonuses averaging over $3,000.
In cases like Microsoft’s mega-campus, the company needed to bring in workers from outside the local area to meet demand. With a strategic approach, you can train up your local workforce to fill these high-paying jobs coming to a data center build near you.
How Should Workforce Development Organizations Prepare?
The skilled trades offer low unemployment and higher wages for job-seekers without a college degree. While demand continues to be strong in housing and public infrastructure, the demand for skilled trades workers who can support data center projects is a timely opportunity that career readiness programs should be ready to support. Workforce development organizations can meet this demand through accelerated skilled trades programs that give learners the skills they need to be job-ready faster.
In order to truly prepare your program to meet the increased demand for workers in this area, workforce development leaders should go through the following steps.
1. Assess Your Local Data Center Pipeline
First, assess your local needs to understand the planned data center projects in your state. Coordinate with major tech companies and construction industry groups in your area to learn the scale of upcoming projects, types of jobs that will be needed, and the current skills shortage.
There are over 400 new data centers in the U.S. pipeline. The demand is particularly strong in the southern U.S. and in the Rust Belt. The states adding the most gigawatts of planned capacity are:
- Texas (22.5 GW)
- Arizona (8.36 GW)
- Pennsylvania (7.1 GW)
- Virginia (3.9 GW)
- Indiana (2.6 GW)
- Ohio (2.0 GW)
- Louisiana (2.0 GW)
- Illinois (1.8 GW)
- Georgia (1.7 GW)
- Wyoming (1.5 GW)
2. Launch or Scale Up Your Skilled Trades Program
Next, launch or expand your skilled trades program. Choose a focus area, such as electrical or HVAC training, and offer a program that can train cohorts of learners in a structured, accelerated setting.
Hiring qualified instructors and expanding lab space are common challenges for trades programs, so many organizations are looking for ways to launch or scale programs without having to add more work in those areas. One solution is to supplement such programs with immersive simulation-based training that offers hands-on learning in a virtual, risk-free environment.
One example is Interplay Learning, an industry-recognized online training platform that supports career tracks like electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. With Interplay, workforce development organizations can access a ready-made solution where learners gain practical skills through online modules and simulations, ultimately preparing them with that “hands-on” training that is required to be competitive in the job market.
In other cases, learners may only need targeted training to meet qualification requirements. For example, you may have a residential electrician or HVAC technician who needs to upskill in particular equipment used in data centers. In that case, you could offer targeted courses and credentials in a platform like Interplay.
Best Practices for New Trades Programs
- Find funding sources: Take advantage of state or federal grants that may be available to fund your workforce development program.
- Don’t build from scratch: Accelerate your launch time by partnering with a proven vendor or platform that can map their content to your curriculum or provide pre-built learning pathways.
- Coordinate with employers: Build relationships with employers who are bringing large data center projects to your area. These employers can share their exact needs with you and may be open to custom training solutions for their workforce needs.
Best Practices for Existing Trades Programs
- Scale up without increasing costs: If you already run a trades program, instructor availability, consumable costs, or space constraints are likely limiting your ability to expand. Consider adding educational technology that will maximize your existing lab space and budget, such as 3D simulations that can be completed on any device.
- Expand access with flexible options: Traditional classroom setups may exclude learners who balance work shifts and caregiving, or who live in rural areas, far from training centers. Consider flexible learning solutions with asynchronous learning to expand access to these non-traditional learners.
Solving the Data Center Construction Talent Gap
The AI boom isn’t just for knowledge workers. It’s increasing the demand for electricians, HVAC technicians, and construction laborers. While billions are being invested in data centers across the U.S., the success of these projects ultimately depends on whether there are enough skilled workers to build and maintain them.
For workforce development organizations, this moment presents an opportunity. By aligning programs with regional data center demand, accelerating training pathways, and adopting scalable learning models, you can connect more learners to high-paying, in-demand careers, all while helping your local economy compete in a fast-growing industry.
To learn how to launch or scale your workforce development program, contact Interplay Learning.
