One of the world's hottest industries is sparking a blue-collar jobs boom
The race to build the infrastructure behind artificial intelligence is creating a new boom for America's blue-collar workforce, as construction firms scramble to fill jobs building data centers, power systems...
By Fox News · Fox News
The race to build the infrastructure behind artificial intelligence is creating a new boom for America's blue-collar workforce, as construction firms scramble to fill jobs building data centers , power systems and the facilities that keep the technology running. The rapid buildout is putting a new premium on skilled trades , with data centers requiring armies of workers to prepare sites, pour concrete, install electrical systems and handle the infrastructure needed to bring them online. "For many years, there's been a lack of focus just in general from what is the benefit of a career in the trades," explained Cole Renken, general manager of Merlo America, the U.S. division of Italian construction equipment manufacturer Merlo Group. "It's a very stable income, very stable lifestyle that you can provide for," he added. ONE OF AMERICA'S OLDEST MANUFACTURERS SAYS AI IS CREATING JOBS — NOT REPLACING THEM Now, the AI infrastructure boom could bring renewed attention to those careers. U.S. construction spending is projected to climb from $2.22 trillion in 2026 to $2.85 trillion by 2031, according to a new report from Merlo America developed with predictive sales intelligence firm BiltData.ai. Industrial construction, which includes factories and data centers, is projected to reach $684 billion by 2031, representing 24% of total U.S. construction spending. Much of that growth is being driven by the infrastructure needed to power AI, cloud computing and 5G, with data centers emerging as a major source of construction and industrial activity. And building those facilities requires skilled workers at nearly every stage of a project. Renken said large projects require heavy-equipment operators to prepare sites and logistics workers to coordinate materials, followed by concrete workers, electricians, plumbers and other skilled trades as construction progresses. Electrical workers, he said, could face particularly high demand. A SOUTHERN STATE JUST TOOK THE TOP SPOT IN ONE OF TH…