Meta and Mike Rowe Launch $115M Academy for AI Data Center Workers

Meta has partnered with Mike Rowe to launch America’s Workforce Academy, a $115 million free training program offering five-week courses in electrical, plumbing, welding and fiber skills with guaranteed job placement. The initiative, rolling out in Louisiana, Ohio, Indiana and Texas, addresses acute labor shortages exposed by Meta’s rapid data-center expansion. The story began June 4 when Meta deployed six tent-based data centers near New Albany, Ohio, powered by 200 MW of off-grid turbines within its up-to-$145 billion capex plan, before escalating to a broader three-year $600 billion U.S. infrastructure commitment that now includes workforce development.