Workforce Development
30 articles
Meta's $115M Academy Fights Skilled Trades Gap With New Training
In just seven days, Meta's Level-Up fiber installation training program received 35,000 applications.
Texas Gov. Abbott Boosts Skilled Trades Training for High-Demand Jobs
Governor Greg Abbott has directed four Texas state agencies to immediately overhaul workforce development programs.
Women in Skilled Trades Face Stalled Leadership, Despite Gains
In 2024, tradeswomen in construction and extraction occupations reached 366,360, the highest percentage since 2015, according to Manufacturers Alliance .
Skilled trades education is key to Ontario's 2026 economic stability.
Ontario's economy is bleeding $24 billion annually due to a critical shortage of skilled trades workers.
Meta's New Academy Trains for Data Center Tech Jobs
In 2026, Meta is committing $115 million to provide free training, including tuition, housing, and a daily stipend, for a five-week program with a guaranteed job upon completion, according to...
Meta Launches Academy to Train Data Center Construction Workers
Meta is investing $115 million to launch a five-week workforce academy.
Apprenticeships Surge Past Traditional Training, But Equity Gaps Remain
In 2024, over 560 candidates applied for just 27 spots in the prestigious Rolex apprenticeship program, resulting in a staggering 4.
Alabama Building Futures: $2,000 for Aviation, Construction
Only 50 Alabama residents will receive a $2,000 scholarship for aviation or construction careers through a new state program.
High school construction programs build future skilled workforce
At L'Anse Creuse High School, students scan QR codes on an 'apprenticeship wall' to instantly apply for local construction jobs, bypassing traditional college applications.
Labor Dept. Awards $30M for Skilled Trades Education Apprenticeship Programs
The U.S. Department of Labor is injecting $30 million into skilled trades training programs. BlackRock simultaneously launched a $25 million initiative. This marks a combined $55 million surge in publ
Skilled trades education is key to workforce development.
Skilled trades education is vital for workforce development, with significant public and private investment driving training initiatives to address critical shortages.
Lowe's CEO bets $250 million on trades over AI for future workforce
While headlines trumpet AI's imminent takeover of the workforce, Lowe's is committing a quarter-billion dollars over the next decade to recruit and train 250,000 skilled tradespeople, betting on wrenc
AI's surprising role in boosting skilled trades education wages
QTS, a Blackstone portfolio company, plans to increase its workforce from 10,000 to 40,000 workers by year-end, a 300% increase.
NEFBA apprenticeship program shows strong success
In 2023, every graduate from the NEFBA apprenticeship program attained NCCER industry credentials, according to www-bths.
AI's Data Center Boom Sparks Urgent Need for Skilled Trades
At a new hyperscale data center in rural Ohio, project managers offer six-figure salaries and signing bonuses for electricians and HVAC technicians.
Saginaw Career Complex receives $2.5M grant for auto collision training
The Saginaw Career Complex, whose auto collision program relied on equipment from the 1990s, just secured a $2.5 million federal grant, the largest in its 30-year history, according to the SCC Director.
Vocational training initiatives face skilled labor shortage
77% of manufacturers report difficulties attracting and retaining workers, highlighting a pervasive struggle across the industry.
Vocational Training Struggles with Tech Amidst Skills Chasm
By 2030, 2.1 million skilled trade jobs are projected to remain unfilled, a deficit that could cost the economy $1 trillion annually, even as AI and robots begin to reshape these very roles. This stag
Adelaide Careers Expo Showcases Skilled Trades Vocational Training
At the Adelaide Careers and Employment Expo, students aren't just browsing brochures.
Young people flock to skilled trades careers, boosting student engagement initiatives
Last year, enrollment in vocational-focused community colleges surged by 16%, reaching its highest level since 2018, signaling a powerful shift in student career aspirations.
Trade schools and career expos boost skilled trades education in 2026
Nearly 1,300 high school students in Milwaukee recently spent a day trying their hands at welding, bricklaying, and electrical work, a clear sign of how the next generation views skilled trades, accor
Trades and service pros are key to local development resilience.
In one mid-sized American city, the average age of a licensed plumber is 58, and only 3% of high school graduates enter vocational training programs, creating a looming crisis for essential urban infr
Skilled Trades Training Initiatives Undermined by Retention
Some 2.1 million skilled trade jobs are expected to go unfilled by 2030, potentially resulting in $1 trillion in annual economic losses, according to Facilities Dive . This severe and growing deficit
BlackRock launches $100 million initiative for skilled trades training
BlackRock, a financial giant known for its investment prowess, has committed $100 million to train up to 50,000 skilled craft workers, marking a significant philanthropic pivot into vocational educati
Vocational Training Investment Key to Skilled Labor Shortage
The U.S. faces a staggering annual deficit of 1.7 million skilled-trade workers, a gap threatening to stall critical infrastructure and economic growth across multiple sectors. Annually, 2.9 million s
State Leaders Champion Skilled Trades for Youth Vocational Training
In Michigan, a record 55,431 students completed Career and Technical Education programs in the 2024-25 school year, more than double the number from just a decade prior, according to Bridge Michigan .
Siemens Foundation Aims for 25,000 NC Skilled Workers, Boosting Access
The Siemens Foundation is investing $9.25 million to launch Careers Electric™ in North Carolina, aiming to train 25,000 people for energy and infrastructure jobs within a decade.
Apprenticeships Surge: Vocational Training Tackles Skilled Trades Labor Shortage
In 2023, Southern Home Services hired Matt Ellenberg to enhance training.
Michigan skilled trades programs show widening access disparities
A state audit found 70% of new skilled trades equipment funding went to districts with higher property tax revenues, benefiting wealthier suburban schools, according to the State Auditor General's Off
Michigan skilled trades programs are not equitable, new report finds.
In Michigan, where skilled trades jobs are projected to grow by 13% over the next decade, only 18% of current apprenticeships are held by individuals from underrepresented minority groups.