Meta and CBRE teams up for new free training program

Meta and Global Commercial Real Estate Services (CBRE) have launched a new free training program for fiber technicians. The initiative aims to address a significant nationwide shortage, with Meta estimating a need for over 350,000 technician and construction jobs in the coming years. The program will be conducted in Indianapolis, offering participants a direct pathway into high-demand careers. Upon successful completion of the training, individuals will receive a guaranteed job offer with Meta. These roles could include positions at Meta's data center in Richland Parish, Louisiana, as well as other locations across the country. According to a Meta representative, these technicians are crucial for connecting data centers to the broader network grid through fiber optic infrastructure. Brookley Barnes of Grow NELA commended the program, stating it directly tackles the national demand for skilled fiber technicians by providing accessible, no-cost training and career opportunities supporting data center development and operations.