""We always have far more people applying than we actually accept into our apprenticeship programs," Madello explains. How many trainees are admitted, he adds, depends largely on how many union members are expected to retire in the coming years."
"One problem, however, is getting people trained quickly enough to work on data center projects. Quinonez says the work itself is not very different from other plumbing jobs, but data centers are built on strict schedules, leaving little room for delays or errors. That matters because apprentices typically learn on the job alongside more experienced plumbers at active construction sites. On data center projects, Quinonez says, companies are far less willing to take risks, since even small mistakes can slow a project down."
""It could get very costly for a contractor for something to go wrong," he explains. Apprentices and trainees, he adds, may have to go through "more rigorous training" before they are assigned to help build a data center. David Long, CEO of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), says the group has done a good job keeping pace with retirements by training new electricians. But the scale and technical requirements of data center projects has made it a "challenge"-which he argues that NECA is appropriately meeting-to ensure that all workers are onboarded quickly and safely."
Apprenticeship programs receive many more applicants than available slots, with admissions tied to expected retirements among union members. Data center projects require rapid, precise work and strict schedules that leave little tolerance for delays or mistakes. Apprentices typically learn on active sites alongside experienced tradespeople, but contractors on data center builds are less willing to assume the risk of errors, prompting more rigorous preparatory training. Industry groups train new electricians to replace retirees, yet the scale and technical demands of data centers create onboarding challenges. Higher pay and overtime on data center projects incentivize tradespeople to switch employers, affecting recruitment and retention strategies.
Read at WIRED
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