Building the future: How a new training program is preparing NELA for the Meta Data Center job boom
DPR Construction and Turner Construction, contractors for the Meta Data Center project, are partnering with Louisiana Delta Community College (LDCC) to launch a Construction Craft Laborer Training Program. This program aims to train local residents to fill the need for nearly 7,000 additional workers required for the expanding Meta data center construction in Northeast Louisiana. Scholarships are available to make the program accessible, offering a pathway to competitive wages and career growth.
DPR Construction and Turner Construction, key contractors involved in the Meta Data Center project in Northeast Louisiana, have partnered with Louisiana Delta Community College (LDCC) to establish the Construction Craft Laborer Training Program. The initiative addresses the substantial workforce demand, with an estimated 7,000 additional workers needed to complete the ongoing construction of the Meta facility.
This new program is designed to provide local residents with a direct entry point into advanced-tech construction careers. Participants will undergo four weeks of foundational classroom instruction at LDCC, covering essential construction basics and safety protocols, followed by a week of practical, hands-on experience at the Meta data center site.
Scholarships are a core component of the program, aimed at removing financial barriers to participation and ensuring accessibility for all eligible applicants. The program seeks to equip individuals with the necessary skills for competitive wages and long-term career advancement within the construction sector.
Applications for the program are open until July 24th, with classes scheduled to run from August 3rd to September 4th. Cory Crowe, a representative from the program, discussed the upcoming classes with DPR Project Manager Justin Strzelecki, Turner Construction Community Engagement Director Tamaka Thornton, and LDCC's Nathan Hall.