Meta just acknowledged that building an AI data center requires a very specific skill set, that which is perhaps lacking in the market. The shortage of said technical expertise is an issue that Meta is hoping to solve with LevelUp, a training program that “takes people with no prior experience” and “prepares them to work as fibre technicians on data centre construction sites across the US.” In other words, Mark Zuckerberg and Co. are offering to teach untrained aspirants themselves to get them ready for the job and for free no less.

Increasing adoption of AI is causing a surge in demand for AI data centres that are in fact lifeblood for players like Meta, OpenAI and Anthropic to train and run their models, so rest of the world could use them. The heart of data-crunching compute rests at these data centres. There is ample evidence that AI companies need more capacity and invariably more data centres to power their AI ambitions. Not having enough compute/data centres is a bottleneck but clearly, there is more to building one than just chips and memory. They need trained workers for setup.

Meta LevelUp, what is it and who can apply?

To address the gap, Meta has decided to take matters in its own hands by launching a four-week training program in partnership with CBRE to generate high-paid fibre technicians. The program is available free of cost and aims to impart a range of technical skills to participants. It is open to all, from high school graduates to mid-career professionals seeking a change.

The LevelUp program includes discussions, hands-on labs, and team activities to teach fibre technician skills. Once trained, graduates will have the opportunity to work at Meta construction sites in the US through their contractor network. Meta currently operates or is building 27 data centres in the US. The first batch of this program is expected to begin this summer. For more details, interested applicants can visit Meta’s website.

Layoffs amid aggressive AI spending

Meta’s program has come at a time when a Reuters report said that the company is preparing to lay off as many as 8,000 employees in less than 30 days. The cuts are happening at a time when the company is spending aggressively on AI, suggesting a clear change in priorities rather than a slowdown.

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Published On:

Apr 21, 2026 13:32 IST