March 2026 Newsletter
Unions in Energy: What You Need to Know
We’ve launched Unions in Energy, a new resource developed in close coordination with our union partners. This platform helps demystify union careers in the energy industry by outlining key information, highlighting career pathways, and connecting users to next steps for getting started.
We encourage you to share this resource with students, job seekers, and others exploring careers in energy.
Connecting Communities to Careers in Energy
We’ve also launched Equipping Communities, a new resource designed to support community-based organizations (CBOs) in connecting individuals to energy careers.
This platform helps CBOs understand the value of careers in energy, provides guidance on how to get started, and offers tools and resources they can use to support their communities.
We encourage you to share this resource with your local partners and organizations working directly with the future energy workforce.
Explore Energy Scholarships with Our Interactive Map
In the fall of 2024, CEWD launched the Get Into Energy Scholarship Fund. The fund will pool resources from across the industry to boost access to energy careers by removing financial barriers. Additionally, our research has found over a hundred existing scholarships that are enabling this same mission. In order to further remove barriers, we have created a one-stop shop for all energy related scholarships, the Find an Energy Scholarship Map.
This easy to use, interactive map will empower students to connect directly with energy scholarships that may be applicable to them.
What's Up? News Updates
CEWD is reporting important news and updates through the CEWD Connection to keep readers abreast of energy workforce headlines. If you have any article suggestions, please email [email protected].
How the red-hot AI data center boom is igniting demand for a new, lucrative career path: Trade workers (CNBC)
March 18, 2026
The rapid buildout of AI data centers is driving significant demand for skilled trades workers such as electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians. This surge is contributing to labor shortages, rising wages, and increased attention on trade careers as AI reshapes workforce needs.
Mike Rowe Slams Schools for Portraying Skilled Trades as a Consolation Prize (Fortune)
March 19, 2026
Mike Rowe criticized schools for prioritizing four-year degrees while undervaluing skilled trades, contributing to labor shortages in roles like electricians and welders. As demand grows—driven in part by AI and data center expansion—trade careers are offering strong pay and long-term stability.
BlackRock Donates $100 Million to Trade-Worker Training in Infrastructure-Investing Push (The Wall Street Journal)
March 2026
BlackRock is committing $100 million to expand training programs for skilled trades, including electricians and HVAC technicians. The investment reflects growing private-sector focus on workforce development to support infrastructure and energy projects tied to AI and economic growth.
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