Huntsville, AL — Meta and Holder Construction have announced a partnership to bring Hardhat in Hand, Meta’s nationwide skilled trades training program, to Meta’s Huntsville Data Center. This paid, eight-week program focuses on recruiting new people to the construction trades and providing participants with fundamental knowledge relevant to all construction and skilled trade occupations. Hardhat in Hand is run in partnership with the Drake State Community and Technical College (Drake State) and United Way of Madison County.

“The Hardhat in Hand program is a hands-on opportunity to help people in the community acquire the skills they need for reliable, well-paying careers that help build the infrastructure of the future,” said Katie Comer, community development regional manager at Meta.

“We’re grateful for the partnership with Holder Construction, Drake State and the United Way of Madison County to offer this unique training program and help participants launch a career in a high-demand field.”

Meta has been part of the Alabama community since breaking ground on its Huntsville Data Center in 2018. According to Holder Construction, there will be 1,300 construction workers on site at peak.

“We appreciate Meta’s forward-thinking commitment to workforce development and are proud to launch the Huntsville Data Center’s first Hardhat in Hand class,” said Beth Lowry, President of Holder Construction-Atlanta.

“Holder Construction is partnering with Drake State Technical College, who has years of experience connecting individuals in the Huntsville community with a pathway to a higher living wage through construction. Together, Meta, Holder, Drake State, and the United Way are taking action to solve Alabama’s high-demand construction need by investing back into the local community.”

A recent report from the Associated Builders and Contractors estimates that the construction industry needs to recruit nearly 650,000 more individuals than normal hiring to meet the demand for labor. Paid programs like Meta’s Hardhat in Hand help open a pathway to help reduce the labor shortage.

“Drake State believes in the power of partnerships to affect positive change in our community.” said Dr. Patricia G. Sims, President of Drake State Community and Technical College.

“We are thrilled to join Meta and Holder Construction in bringing the Hardhat in Hand Program to North Alabama and creating a new pathway for people to learn highly-marketable construction skills. This onsite training, integrating regular site walks and working real-time with key trade partners, will provide a huge advantage to residents who enroll in the program.

“In a fast-growing area like Huntsville/Madison County, making sure our commercial builders have a ready workforce is essential,” said Cathy Miller, Community Impact Director with the United Way of Madison County.

“Thanks to Holder Construction and Meta’s Hardhat in Hand program, that need is being fulfilled while creating pathways for individuals eager to build a career and a future. United Way of Madison County, with our network of key resources and helping hearts and our reputation for successful collaboration, is proud to stand as a community partner. Together we can do more.”

Applications for the inaugural cohort of Hardhat in Hand are now being accepted through September 23, 2022. The program begins October 17 and the application can be found at this link.