CBS News Highlights DataBank on Data Center Growth

Data center demand is surging, but the supply of skilled trade workers needed to keep facilities running 24/7 is shrinking. Roughly 400,000 skilled trade jobs are unfilled in America, with that number potentially hitting close to 2 million by 2033, according to Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute.

Data centers now compete with factories and manufacturing plants for electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians. [https://www.databank.com/resources/blogs/what-it-takes-to-build-the-infrastructure-building-ai/] As older blue-collar workers retire, younger people increasingly pursue college and white-collar jobs instead of the trades. Experienced HVAC technicians in Chicago can earn over $150,000 without student debt, yet recruitment challenges persist.

“Everything in here needs service—tech support, HVAC support, electricians. The supply of technical support we need available 24/7 keeps shrinking, threatening our ability to retain customers.”
— Brandyn Frye, Data Center Manager

Technology offers one solution. Software companies are developing programs that help route and reroute technician fleets more efficiently, creating productivity gains amid labor shortages. Union apprenticeship programs are aggressively recruiting young electricians, offering comprehensive benefits including insurance, healthcare, and pensions.

Industry leaders emphasize the value of trade careers as viable pathways without student debt burdens. However, the mismatch between booming data center demand and declining trade worker supply remains a critical challenge for the industry’s continued expansion.

For the complete story on data center worker shortages, watch the full report at CBS News.