"The skilled trades have always been the backbone of the American economy, and as technology evolves, so do the incredible opportunities for these essential workers,” said Maggie Johnson, Global Head of Google.org, Google. “We are incredibly proud to back the organizations leading this charge, ensuring the next generation of builders is equipped with the advanced tools they need to shape our country’s future.” 

Among the groups the funding will support is the United Association's International Training Fund, which will develop a five-year roadmap to scale the plumbing and HVACR sectors to support essential infrastructure. 

“We are proud to build the infrastructure that powers the next generation of American technology and innovation — and we are growing faster than ever before to meet the increased demands on our workforce,” said Ray Boyd, director of education and training for the United Association. “This support from Google.org will help us continue to expand that access to our training and apprenticeship programs in communities across the nation.”  

The funding also supports the International Training Institute for the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Industry, backed by the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers and Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors. 

“Investing in our workforce has been the key to our industry’s long-term success,” said John Jackson, International Training Institute for the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Industry administrator. “This Google.org support gives us the opportunity to rethink how we recruit, train, and retain the next generation of sheet metal workers while integrating advanced technologies into our curriculum and processes.” 

Big Tech Support 

Google is among the latest big tech companies to announce programs and funding supporting the skilled trades. On June 8, Meta, Facebook’s parent company, launched its America’s Workforce Academy, a nationwide program to support those seeking a career in the skilled trades. Meta pays for all the costs, and no prior experience is required. 

The program is backed by a $115 million first-year investment, which Meta claims is the “largest private-sector commitment to the skilled trades with a job guarantee in American history.” Meta says graduates earn National Center for Construction Education and Research credentials and an America’s Workforce Certificate that transfer across employers.  

Michael Bellaman, Associated Builders and Contractors president and CEO, noted how the demand for data center construction technicians means the industry needs an “all-of-the-above” approach to grow the labor pool. 

“America’s Workforce Academy is a transformational endeavor creating incredible opportunities, and ABC is proud to partner with Meta and CBRE to welcome all who want to build their career dreams in construction,” Bellaman said. “This innovative talent pipeline solution addresses the industry’s ongoing workforce shortage by utilizing ABC’s existing, proven, nationwide education ecosystem.” 

Meta will open 2026 pilot locations in Louisiana, Ohio, Indiana, and Texas. 

Last April, BlackRock and its philanthropic partners announced a $100 million Future Builders initiative to support the development of skilled trades. The program is designed to train 50,000 workers, including electricians, HVAC technicians, plumbers, and ironworkers. 

In March, OpenAI announced its collaboration with North America’s Building Trades Unions to support and expand training pathways into the skilled construction trades. 

“Ensuring the benefits of AI reach everyone starts with the workers who will build the infrastructure that powers it,” said Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, in a written statement. 

Fueling the Data Center Boom 

The investments are welcome in a time when the HVAC industry is enduring a shortage of technicians and instructors to train them. They also align with growing labor demand tied to data center development. 

Data center infrastructure demand, fueled by the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence, is predicted to triple by 2030, according to McKinsey & Company. Companies around the world are expected to invest nearly $7 trillion in building and upgrading data centers between now and 2030. 

McKinsey estimates a typical data center can add up to 1,500 workers on-site during the construction phase and dozens of permanent operational jobs, including additional economic activity for the communities where they’re located.