Louisiana residents are training for jobs at Meta's largest-ever AI data center: 'Why not get in now?'
A community college in Louisiana is training students to work at Meta's giant new AI data center.
Louisiana Delta Community College in West Monroe is training data center technicians for Meta's largest-ever AI data center. The 10-million-square-foot Hyperion data center is being built in Richland Parish and is expected to create over 7,500 construction jobs and 1,000 operational positions once completed.
The four-week Data Center Technician program costs nearly $3,700 and prepares students for careers in the expanding data center industry. Students learn technical skills, workplace safety, and how to build a strong résumé. The inaugural class graduated in March, with all 11 students receiving job offers from IES Communications, which works on Meta's project.
Dan McCarty, director of Workforce Trades at the community college, said the program prepares students with a stepping stone into the real world. Graduates have reported earning between $24 and $28 an hour, with higher pay for those with additional experience or certifications.
While some residents welcome the new jobs and potential economic boost, others are concerned about the environmental impact and disruptions to their daily lives. Despite these concerns, Trey Wadley, a student in the program, is eager to secure a position at Meta's data center. He hopes to earn between $25 and $30 an hour, which he believes is a significant improvement over his previous salary of $14 an hour.
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