Meta starts data center workforce development program in Indiana
Meta is launching America's Workforce Academy, a $115 million fast-track program in Indianapolis, Indiana, and other states, to train workers for its data center construction sites. Graduates are guaranteed jobs at Meta's data center projects, including a $10 billion facility in Lebanon and an $800 million one in Jeffersonville, Indiana. The program aims to address the workforce needs for Meta's expanding data center footprint in the state, which has previously faced public opposition regarding noise and power usage.
Meta Platforms has launched America's Workforce Academy, a $115 million initiative aimed at training skilled trades for data center construction. Indianapolis, Indiana, is one of four initial locations for this fast-track program, which guarantees graduates a job at a Meta data center construction site. The Boone County Economic Development Corporation is partnering with Meta on this academy.
The program seeks to recruit thousands of individuals, with the first cohort launching in Louisiana before expanding to Indiana, Ohio, and Texas. Meta has invested significantly in Indiana, including a $10 billion data center under construction in Lebanon, which is expected to create 4,000 construction jobs, and an $800 million facility in Jeffersonville, anticipating 1,200 construction workers.
This workforce development push comes as Meta continues to expand its data center footprint in Indiana, where past data center projects have encountered public opposition due to concerns over noise and power consumption. Meta will cover the costs of the four-to-five-week program, which does not require prior experience.