The surge in artificial intelligence development has significantly boosted construction jobs, as new data centers emerge across the nation.
Once construction ceases, these massive structures will house servers, cables, and cooling systems, potentially creating long-term employment questions.
Economists and county planners are uncertain about the economic impact once construction ends. While initial development offers thousands of jobs, ongoing roles may be few.
However, tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Oracle are collaborating with educational institutions to train data center technicians. These partnerships promise job-ready skills for in-demand roles.
“It’s those mid-level jobs — the server technicians, the hardware technicians,” noted Scott Adams, an economics professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. “There are hundreds of those jobs that are necessary, and those jobs need training.”
Colleges nationwide offer data center technician training. For instance, Columbus State Community College collaborates with Amazon Web Services, while New Mexico State University partners with Oracle Academy. Wisconsin’s Gateway Technical College hosts a Microsoft Datacenter Academy.
Despite their importance, these programs receive minimal publicity, and companies face local resistance due to concerns about data center construction.
Louis Maxcy, a data center technician, benefited from such training at Oregon’s Blue Mountain Community College, supported by Amazon Web Services. The program enabled him to secure a job in Umatilla, Oregon, an agriculturally driven area.
Data centers are expanding rapidly, with Data Center Map documenting over 4,700 U.S. locations. This growth demands skilled workers, as noted by Amazon’s Nicholas Lee-Romagnolo, who emphasizes the need for continuously updated curriculum.
Training programs aim to fill this skills gap. For example, Gateway Technical College offers hands-on courses that prepare students for roles like IT support specialist or facilities operation technician.
By May, 14 students had earned the Microsoft Data Center Certificate, with many more enrolled, thanks to scholarships covering tuition and books.
These programs offer a quick path to employment, with wages averaging $32 an hour. However, experts advise students to consider the longevity of skills acquired, given AI’s rapid evolution.
Chad Knights of Northern Virginia Community College believes students are poised to adapt due to a well-rounded curriculum.
Scott Adams notes the emerging AI economy values a diverse skill set, moving away from traditional job titles.
Maxcy, originally interested in computer science, sees his role as akin to a modern trade, offering growth and stability in his field.
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