The BlackRock Foundation is putting $30 million into workforce programs to train and support over 12,000 electrical workers in Texas. This comes as the need for skilled trades grows with the state’s fast-paced infrastructure and AI-related development.
The funding will go toward:
- electrician pre-apprenticeship programs,
- journeyman exam preparation,
- statewide electrical training initiatives,
- and financial literacy education for trade workers.
The announcement took place at Texas State Technical College in Waco on National Skilled Trades Day.
Why Texas Needs More Electricians
Texas is seeing growth in its:
- population,
- commercial construction activity,
- energy infrastructure,
- and especially in data center projects connected to the rise of artificial intelligence
have made the shortage of skilled electricians even more severe.
“Dallas is in dire need of electricians,” said Erin Stewart, CEO of the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) of Dallas. She said the state is having trouble training workers quickly enough to keep up with:
- current job demand and
- upcoming retirements among trade workers.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports:
- Dallas–Fort Worth employed 18,730 electricians as of May 2023,
- with average hourly wages of $27.38.
Programs Receiving Funding
The investment will help several organizations and programs, such as:
Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) of Dallas
The funded programs include:
- SafeSTART pre-apprenticeship training,
- journeyman exam preparation courses.
Since March 20:
- Nearly 190 participants have enrolled in or completed journeyman prep,
- And 228 people have participated or will participate in the SafeSTART program.
The SafeSTART initiative provides:
- 80 hours of training
to prepare participants for electrical apprenticeships.
Dallas College Foundation
BlackRock funding will also support:
- financial literacy education tailored for electrical workers.
The program focuses on:
- saving,
- investing,
- and long-term wealth building for skilled trade professionals.
Electrical Training Alliance
A statewide pre-apprenticeship course will be expanded for Texans interested in entering the electrical trade workforce.
Texas State Technical College (TSTC)
The funding will also help launch:
- a new skilled trades training initiative at TSTC.
BlackRock’s Broader Workforce Strategy
The investment is part of BlackRock Foundation’s national Future Builders initiative, which focuses on addressing the growing shortage of skilled trade workers across the United States.
According to BlackRock Foundation President Claire Chamberlain:
- Texas emerged as a priority due to its central role in America’s:
- infrastructure buildout,
- energy expansion,
- and industrial growth.
BlackRock described Texas as:
“the center of America’s infrastructure and energy buildout.”
The $30 million commitment represents:
- The foundation’s largest workforce investment in Texas to date.
Business & Economic Significance
This investment reflects several major Texas economic trends:
- AI-driven data center expansion,
- construction labor shortages,
- infrastructure modernization,
- rising demand for skilled trades,
- and corporate involvement in workforce development.
The initiative also highlights growing recognition that:
- Skilled trades are becoming increasingly critical to sustaining Texas’s economic growth and industrial expansion.
Source Details
- Publication: The Dallas Morning News
- Article Title: BlackRock gives $30 million to boost Texas electricians
- Author: Charlotte Kramon, Staff Writer
- URL: https://www.dallasnews.com/business/article/blackrock-electricians-texas-22249812.php