The four 2026 training centers
| City | State | What we know |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus | Ohio | Among the first centers to train classes. Run by CBRE. Columbus is one of the tightest labor markets for data center construction. |
| Indianapolis | Indiana | Among the first centers to train classes. |
| Houston | Texas | Texas has at least 142 data centers under construction, more than any other state. |
| Baton Rouge | Louisiana | One of the four 2026 pilot centers. |
Every center teaches the same program: safety (including OSHA), construction math and drawings, material handling and rigging, and an introduction to electrical, mechanical, plumbing and fiber work. It runs about 4 to 5 weeks in person.
If you don't live near a center
Applicants from all 50 states are considered. Meta covers tuition, airfare, lodging near the training center, tools and a daily stipend while you train. You'll need to be away from home for the whole program, so plan for work, family and bills before you go.
Where the job is after training
Accepted applicants get a job offer from a Meta contractor partner, for work at a Meta partner construction site. That site may not be in the city where you train, so ask where the job is before you accept. See the questions to ask before you commit.
New locations in 2027
Meta says it expects to add more training locations in 2027. The new cities haven't been announced. We'll add them here when they are.
Questions about locations
Can I choose which center I train at?
The official pages don't say. Ask during screening which centers have upcoming classes.
Is there a center on the West Coast or in the Northeast?
Not in 2026. All four centers are in Ohio, Indiana, Texas and Louisiana, but you can apply from any state.
What if I can't travel for 4 to 5 weeks?
Look at local options instead, like community college data center programs or Per Scholas. See data center jobs and training by location.
Sources
- Meta Data Centers, July 2026 (four locations, first classes in Ohio and Indiana, more in 2027)
- Associated Builders and Contractors: America's Workforce Academy (any state, what Meta covers, training content)
- ABC Ohio Valley (Columbus center run by CBRE)
- ABC Greater Tennessee (tools covered, lodging near the center)
- Classet: data center labor shortage 2026 (Texas construction count, Columbus labor market)