Skilled trades face shortage of workers across U.S.
A nationwide shortage of skilled trade workers is delaying construction projects, including data center development, as demand for electricians, plumbers and technicians grows. The article highlights a QTS data center under construction in Cedar Rapids and examines how immigration enforcement, aging workers and limited training capacity are worsening labor shortages.
The United States could need 1.7 million new skilled trade workers annually through 2035, while training programs currently produce only about half the required workforce. Contractors cite worker shortages as a leading cause of construction delays, with data center expansion adding demand for electricians, welders, fiber technicians and other specialized trades.
Industry representatives say stricter immigration enforcement, an aging workforce, low-paid apprenticeships and long working conditions are limiting the labor supply. Ford Motor Co. and the Ad Council launched a campaign promoting trade careers, while Meta executive Dina Powell McCormick said companies involved in building AI infrastructure are supporting training and job placement. The article also points to a QTS data center campus under construction in southwest Cedar Rapids and notes that Iowa ranks relatively high in skilled-worker supply compared with demand.