A new workforce training center in Texas is expanding a short pathway into data center jobs, a field its backers said could be a good fit for veterans leaving the military with maintenance, electrical, mechanical or operations experience. Compass Datacenters announced June 30 that it donated a $12.6 million, 40,000-square-foot building on its Red Oak, Texas, campus to Texas State Technical College (TSTC). The building will house the college’s MEI Data Center Pathway Program, a training track focused on mechanical, electrical and IT systems used in data center operations. The program, co-developed by Compass and TSTC, is designed for students without a four-year degree or prior data center experience. It trains students for jobs maintaining the systems that keep data centers running, including electrical equipment, cooling systems, motor controls, information technology and other infrastructure. The MEI program already has at least one veteran graduate. Michael Carvalho, a disabled Navy combat veteran who sustained a traumatic brain injury during his service, was part of the program’s first cohort. He later became a multi-skilled operator at Compass’ Red Oak facility.
Navy veteran Michael Carvalho works on electrical training equipment through the MEI Data Center Pathway Program, a Texas State Technical College training track focused on mechanical, electrical and IT systems used in data center operations. (Photo courtesy of Texas State Technical College)
