Austin trade school teaches students skills for data centers

Amidst a significant data center boom in Texas, the Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in Austin is actively preparing students for related employment opportunities. UTI offers programs in welding and HVAC, which provide essential skills for building and maintaining data centers, including electrical fundamentals crucial for operation and cooling systems. Instructors like Dereck Granados emphasize the transferability of basic electrical knowledge to data center work, while Grant Burkhalter, UTI's facilities director, highlights the importance of welders for structural framework and electricians for both construction and ongoing maintenance. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 9% growth in employed electricians nationwide between 2024 and 2034, with the data center expansion contributing to this trend. Melissa Corona, UTI's director of student and career services, notes a steady demand for their admissions, with skilled trade programs often filling months in advance. Similarly, Elvia Quintanilla, founder of Texas Technical Trade School in Houston, reports increased interest in electrical careers, stressing that data centers cannot function without electricians. While economist Greg Wright from the University of California, Merced, suggests that operational data centers might employ fewer staff than during construction (around 500 information sector jobs compared to 700 construction jobs), those in the training sector affirm the broad applicability and long-term career paths offered by these skilled trades.