Meta, the social media and artificial intelligence group, is launching a free four-week training programme to prepare workers for fibre technician jobs at its data centres across the United States.
The programme, called LevelUp Fiber Technician Pathway, will be run by CBRE, the commercial real estate and critical infrastructure services company, which will establish and operate multiple training centres starting this summer.
The initiative responds to a growing shortage of skilled construction workers needed to build next-generation data centre infrastructure, with the construction industry trade group Associated Builders and Contractors estimating that 499,000 new workers will be needed in 2026 to meet demand.
The curriculum combines classroom instruction, hands-on labs and team activities, and is designed for candidates ranging from recent school leavers to mid-career professionals.
Graduates will be eligible for roles installing fibre-optic cables, network equipment and other technical infrastructure at Meta construction sites through the company's contractor network.
Meta said it currently operates or is building 27 data centres in the US, with more in planning.
Since 2010, those projects have supported more than 30,000 skilled trade jobs during construction and more than 5,000 permanent operational roles.
The programme is the latest in a wave of investment linking fibre infrastructure to AI expansion, following a deal Meta struck with Corning in January valued at up to $6 billion through 2030 for fibre-optic cables manufactured at the glassmaker's North Carolina facility.
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CBRE said it will leverage its global infrastructure expertise to run the multi-year initiative.
The first training cohorts are expected to begin this summer.
The recap
- Free four-week LevelUp fiber technician program launched with CBRE.
- Meta operates or is building 27 data centers in the US.
- First training cohorts expected to begin this summer.
