Data center growth drives demand for skilled blue-collar workers in Texas

A data center campus in Red Oak, Texas, is highlighting the growing need for electricians, mechanics, technicians, and construction workers as the industry expands. Compass Datacenters says its site, about 20 miles south of Dallas, now includes 10 buildings, a manufacturing facility, and a training program built to help fill those roles. Company leaders say the campus supports hundreds of fulltime jobs on site, along with thousands of construction jobs over the years and additional manufacturing employment nationwide. To address labor shortages, Compass partnered with Texas State Technical College on a $12.6 million training center and launched the MEI Pathways program to prepare workers for mechanical, electrical, and IT jobs. The company says data center development can bring longterm economic activity and tax revenue to local communities as demand for digital infrastructure continues to rise.