LaborForce Media | Kerri O’Brien | August 30, 2026
As the demand for data centers accelerates across the country, one question is becoming impossible to ignore: who is going to build them?
Data centers are often talked about as technology projects, but they are also major infrastructure projects. Before they can power artificial intelligence, cloud computing, financial systems, healthcare platforms, logistics networks, and public services, they require skilled workers across the building trades: electricians, laborers, operating engineers, pipefitters, plumbers, HVAC technicians, ironworkers, sheet metal workers, fiber technicians, and more.
That demand is creating new attention around skilled trades training, apprenticeship pathways, workforce development, and nonprofit training centers. Major companies, philanthropic initiatives, labor organizations, and state workforce agencies are beginning to invest in the workers and training systems needed to support this next phase of infrastructure growth.
This roundup highlights scholarships, training grants, workforce development programs, and application opportunities tied to the skilled trades, construction, apprenticeship, AI infrastructure, and data center-related workforce needs. Some programs are designed for individual workers or students. Others are grant opportunities for nonprofit training providers, apprenticeship programs, workforce boards, community colleges, or labor-aligned organizations.
Not every opportunity listed below is currently open. Some first-round application windows have closed, while others are active, rolling, or expected to announce future rounds. LaborForce Media will continue tracking these opportunities as part of Data Center Watch so union leaders, training directors, workforce partners, and community organizations can stay informed.
The takeaway is clear: if America is going to build the infrastructure of the AI economy, the skilled trades pipeline must grow with it. These programs are one place to start.
Call to Action
Union leaders, apprenticeship directors, nonprofit training centers, workforce boards, community colleges, and labor-aligned organizations should review the opportunities below and share them with eligible partners.
If your organization is preparing workers for careers in the skilled trades, construction, electrical work, HVAC, plumbing, pipefitting, fiber, data center construction, energy infrastructure, or related fields, now is the time to identify available funding, track future application rounds, and build partnerships that connect workers to high-quality careers.
LaborForce Media will continue updating this list as new trade scholarships, grants, and workforce programs become available. If you know of a skilled trades funding opportunity that should be included in a future Data Center Watch update, contact LaborForce Media so we can help share it with the labor and workforce community.
Trade Scholarships, Training Grants, and Workforce Funding Roundup
| Program | Who It Is For | Status / Live Link |
| BlackRock Future Builders | Nonprofit training centers, workforce organizations, apprenticeship partners, and eligible organizations building skilled trades pathways. | First national RFP is currently closed, but this is the main page to monitor for updates and future rounds: BlackRock Future Builders |
| BlackRock Future Builders — National RFP / JFF | Eligible nonprofit and workforce organizations applying for skilled trades funding through the JFF-administered RFP process. | First application window closed; monitor the RFP page for future updates: JFF BlackRock Future Builders RFP |
| BlackRock Future Builders — JFF Submittable Portal | Organizations submitting or managing applications through the JFF application system. | Application portal for JFF-managed opportunities: JFF Submittable Portal |
| BlackRock Future Builders — Launch Announcement | Workforce leaders, training providers, unions, and community partners looking for background on the $100 million initiative. | Background and initiative details: BlackRock Launches Skilled Trades Initiative |
| BlackRock Future Builders — First RFP Update | Organizations tracking the status of the first national RFP and future funding rounds. | First RFP closed after strong national demand; monitor for future grant announcements: BlackRock Future Builders First RFP Update |
| OpenAI + NABTU Skilled Construction Worker Training Collaboration | Union construction workforce, apprenticeship programs, and skilled trades pathways tied to AI infrastructure and data center construction. | Workforce partnership announcement; not currently a direct public scholarship application: NABTU and OpenAI Skilled Trades Training Announcement |
| OpenAI Stargate Michigan Data Center Workforce Commitments | Michigan college, community college, trade school students, apprentices, and workforce partners connected to the Stargate Michigan project. | OpenAI announced up to $45 million in Codex credits for eligible Michigan students; monitor participating schools and workforce partners: OpenAI Stargate Michigan |
| OpenAI PORTS-Pike Ohio Project Workforce Commitments | Ohio students, colleges, community colleges, technical schools, apprenticeship programs, building trades, veterans groups, labor partners, and workforce organizations. | OpenAI announced up to $84 million in Codex credits for eligible Ohio students and workforce partners: OpenAI PORTS-Pike Project |
| NABTU Data Center Agreement / Stargate Michigan | Building trades unions, apprentices, contractors, and workers involved in union-built data center construction. | Labor agreement announcement tied to the Stargate Michigan data center project: NABTU Data Center Agreement |
| Google Data Centers — Workforce Development & Education | Data center communities, skilled trades workers, nonprofit partners, community colleges, and local workforce organizations. | Google resource page for skilled trades, workforce development, and education programs: Google Workforce Development & Education |
| Google Skilled Trades Commitment / Google.org | Workers and organizations focused on construction, electrical, plumbing, sheet metal, and infrastructure roles. | Google announced $50 million in skilled trades support to help train more than 300,000 workers: Google.org Skilled Trades Funding |
| Google Skilled Trades and Readiness Program — STAR | New-to-industry workers seeking entry-level careers in construction and skilled trades in Google data center communities. | Program availability varies by local partner and data center community: Google Data Centers Workforce Development Program |
| Google Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades | Skilled trades partners, training organizations, employers, and workforce groups supporting infrastructure careers. | Partnership initiative to strengthen the skilled trades pipeline: Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades |
| Google AI Works | Workers, students, educators, nonprofits, and organizations preparing for AI-related workforce changes. | Broader Google AI workforce initiative: Google AI Works |
| Electrical Training ALLIANCE / Google.org Support | Electrical training programs, apprentices, and organizations connected to electrical workforce development. | NECA announcement on Google.org support for electrical training: NECA on Google.org Support |
| Meta America’s Workforce Academy | Individuals seeking no-cost skilled trades training for AI infrastructure and data center construction roles. | Active training pathway with application information available through CBRE: America’s Workforce Academy Application / CBRE |
| Meta America’s Workforce Academy — Program Announcement | Job seekers, workforce partners, contractors, and skilled trades organizations tracking Meta’s training investment. | Program details and first-year investment announcement: Meta America’s Workforce Academy |
| America’s Workforce Academy / ABC Partnership | Construction craft professionals and training partners connected to Meta’s AWA program. | Partnership announcement with Associated Builders and Contractors: ABC Announcement on Meta AWA |
| Microsoft + NABTU AI Training and Career Pathways | NABTU training systems, skilled trades workers, apprentices, and union training programs. | Workforce partnership focused on AI skills and skilled trades career pathways: Microsoft and NABTU Skilled Trades Partnership |
| U.S. Department of Labor — Grant Opportunities | State workforce agencies, community colleges, apprenticeship programs, nonprofits, employers, and workforce partners. | Main DOL grant opportunity page to monitor active and future workforce grants: DOL Find Grant Opportunities |
| U.S. Department of Labor — Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund | State workforce agencies and partners building training pipelines for high-growth sectors, including AI infrastructure-related occupations. | Program page for industry-driven training grants: DOL Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund |
| Apprenticeship.gov — Investments, Tax Credits, and Tuition Support | Employers, apprenticeship sponsors, training providers, and workers looking for apprenticeship funding support. | Federal resource hub for apprenticeship grants, tax credits, reimbursements, and tuition support: Apprenticeship.gov Funding Resources |
| Pennsylvania Workforce Professionals in Digital Infrastructure Grant | Regional workforce partners building capacity for construction, power, supply, and operations of Pennsylvania digital infrastructure, especially data centers. | Grant page focused specifically on digital infrastructure and data center workforce capacity: Pennsylvania WPDI Grant |
| Pennsylvania GRID Standards / Data Center Resources | Developers, communities, workforce partners, and public officials involved in responsible data center development. | Pennsylvania data center standards and resource page: Pennsylvania GRID Standards |
| Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program | Illinois organizations expanding access to pre-apprenticeship and building trades career pathways. | Applications accepted until September 2, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.: Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Application Announcement |
| Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program — Main Page | Pre-apprenticeship providers, workforce partners, and organizations supporting access to construction careers. | Main program information page: Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program |
| California High Road to Construction Careers 2026 Grant Program | California workforce and training organizations expanding access to construction and building trades careers. | Round One grant funding opportunity through California Grants Portal: California HRCC 2026 Grant |
| California Workforce Development Board — HRCC 2026 | Existing HRCC projects and partners advancing high-quality construction career pathways. | California Workforce Development Board HRCC 2026 page: CWDB HRCC 2026 |
| California High Road Construction Careers Program | California construction workforce partners, pre-apprenticeship programs, and building trades career pathway organizations. | Program background and ongoing HRCC information: California High Road Construction Careers |
| Minnesota New and Expanded Registered Apprenticeship Program Grant | Existing registered apprenticeship programs, employers, employer associations, and apprenticeship committees in Minnesota. | Applications accepted beginning June 30, 2026 until funds are awarded or December 1, 2026: Minnesota Registered Apprenticeship Program Grant |
| Minnesota Recognized Apprenticeship Preparation Program Grant | Career readiness and employment preparation programs seeking to become DLI-recognized apprenticeship preparation programs. | Minnesota apprenticeship preparation grant page: Minnesota RAPP Grant |
| Minnesota Apprenticeship Funding Opportunities | Employers, apprenticeship sponsors, preparation programs, and workforce partners in Minnesota. | Main Minnesota apprenticeship funding page: Minnesota Apprenticeship Funding Opportunities |
| Florida Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant | Florida high schools, career centers, colleges, charter technical career colleges, and authorized apprenticeship/pre-apprenticeship sponsors. | Main program page for apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship grant opportunities: Florida Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant |
| Florida PCOG Awards Update | Florida apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs tracking recent grant awards and future cycles. | 2026 award announcement and program context: Florida Awards $14.6 Million for Apprenticeship Expansion |
| Wyoming Workforce Development Training Fund | Wyoming businesses and employees seeking training support, including apprenticeship-related training. | Applications can be submitted monthly: Wyoming Workforce Development Training Fund |
| QTS Eastern Iowa Skilled Trades Workforce Program | Eastern Iowa education and workforce development partners in Cedar Rapids, Clinton, and surrounding communities. | QTS committed $5 million to expand skilled trades training in Eastern Iowa: QTS Eastern Iowa Skilled Trades Program |