Everyone Thought AI Would Replace Workers – Then Came the Surprising Shortage

Tech giants Meta, Google, and BlackRock are investing over $265 million in training construction workers for AI server farms, amid a severe labor shortage in the industry. Wages have surged 42% above the average, but labor unions criticize the accelerated training programs.

The growing demand for AI server farms is creating a severe shortage of construction workers in the United States. In response, tech giants Meta, Google, and BlackRock are jointly investing more than $265 million in recruiting and training electricians, carpenters, and other laborers. Meta will invest $115 million in the first year to train about 5,000 workers in an intensive one-month course, including funding for housing and travel. Google has committed $50 million to increase the number of apprentices in the electricians' union, and BlackRock will invest $100 million in Texas. Hourly wages for installation and maintenance roles in server farms are 42% higher than the average market wage, according to data from Indeed. However, labor unions criticize the accelerated training programs. Sean McGarvey, president of North America's Building Trades Unions, called Meta's program a 'brilliant PR move' but emphasized that a four-week course is no substitute for a comprehensive four-year apprenticeship. The official apprenticeship track of the electricians' union lasts five years and requires 10,000 hours of field work. Demand for these tracks has surged 70% in the past two years, but less than half of participants complete them.