Meta is investing $115 million to launch America’s Workforce Academy (AWA), a nationwide, free training program designed to rapidly prepare skilled trades workers for data center buildouts and to guarantee jobs for graduates.

The program will offer generalist data center technician training and lead to full-time roles with general contractors on Meta’s projects, though specifics on job counts, participating firms, and union status have not been disclosed.

Pilot sites and partners will scale based on results, with ongoing collaboration from local chambers of commerce and economic development groups.

Meta remains under investor scrutiny despite strong core ad revenue growth, as capital expenditure scales and AI monetization timing remains uncertain.

The rollout is reported by Reuters on June 9, 2026, conveying the broader context of Meta’s workforce initiative.

Meta’s stock traded modestly in after-hours trading following the announcement.

The program fits a broader tech trend of companies building direct pipelines to skilled labor to back large infrastructure and AI investments.

Industry concerns persist that workforce constraints could slow expansion as AI and data center capacity grow and as older workers retire.

The initiative could help alleviate labor shortages linked to tighter immigration policies, which have affected the construction sector.

Partnerships with educational institutions and training providers are expected, though structural details and scale are still developing.

Four pilot sites include Indianapolis, with Baton Rouge, Houston, and Columbus, Ohio also involved.

Meta leadership has framed AI-driven opportunities as part of a historic shift, underscoring the potential for the workforce program to play a key role in this transition.