New workforce academy opens door for South Carolina workers to enter data center and AI infrastructure careers
June 11, 2026
As South Carolina continues to compete for major technology and infrastructure investment, a new national workforce program from Meta could help local workers gain access to some of the fastest-growing skilled trades jobs in the country.
Meta recently announced America’s Workforce Academy, a new training initiative created to prepare workers for careers supporting data centers, artificial intelligence infrastructure, energy systems, and modern electric grids. The program is being launched with a $115 million first-year investment and is designed to connect participants directly with employment opportunities after training.
For South Carolina, the announcement comes at a time when workforce development remains a major priority for economic growth. The state has continued to attract large-scale projects tied to manufacturing, logistics, energy, and technology, all of which depend on a strong pipeline of trained workers.
Meta’s growing presence in South Carolina adds to that demand. In 2024, the company announced plans for an $800 million data center in Aiken County, its first data center project in the state. The facility is expected to support Meta’s artificial intelligence operations and create new opportunities connected to the broader data center supply chain.
America’s Workforce Academy is intended to help meet that workforce need by offering a short-term, no-cost training model for participants. Those accepted into the program will complete a four-week course focused on the skilled trades and technical roles needed to build and support large-scale infrastructure projects.
Meta is partnering with CBRE and Associated Builders and Contractors to operate the academy and connect participants with contractor partners. Trainees will have tuition, travel, and lodging covered and will receive a daily stipend while completing the program.
One of the most notable parts of the academy is its direct employment model. Participants accepted into the program will receive a job offer from a Meta contractor partner, contingent on successful completion of the course. After finishing training, graduates will move into jobs supporting Meta data center construction sites.
The first training sites will be located in Ohio, Texas, Louisiana, and Indiana. Participants may be assigned to one of the training locations before being placed with contractor partners. South Carolina residents are eligible to apply.
The program is aimed at workers interested in entering fields such as electrical work, mechanical systems, fiber infrastructure, equipment operation, and other construction-related trades. These roles are becoming increasingly important as companies invest in the physical infrastructure required to support artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and expanded energy demand.
For workers who may not be pursuing a traditional four-year degree, the academy offers another path into a career with long-term earning potential. By covering the cost of training and providing a direct job connection, the program is designed to reduce barriers that often prevent workers from entering skilled trades fields.
Graduates of the academy will earn a National Center for Construction Education and Research credential, along with an America’s Workforce Certificate. These credentials are intended to help workers build careers not only on Meta projects, but across the broader construction and infrastructure sectors.
As South Carolina continues to position itself for growth in technology, energy, and advanced industry, programs like America’s Workforce Academy could play an important role in helping workers access the jobs created by that investment.
