The need for more electricity in the United States is undeniable. As the demand grows due to artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, advanced manufacturing, and a rising population, the country is facing a clear energy challenge. As a significant player in the tech industry, we at Microsoft are all too aware of this issue — our business heavily depends on it.

Last year, we made headlines with our announcement of a partnership to secure electricity from the soon-to-be-recommissioned portion of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant. This part of the plant, which fortunately never experienced an accident, is a substantial purchase, enough to power 500,000 homes. But it represents only a small fraction of the broader energy needs of the tech sector in the future.

The Power Grid and Labor Challenges

How many electricians will the U.S. need to train and recruit in the next decade? (Brandon Bell/Getty Images / Getty Images)

However, there is a crucial aspect of this situation that is not receiving enough attention.

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In preparation for a meeting at the White House last fall concerning the nation’s electricity needs, I spoke with the Microsoft leadership team working on AI infrastructure nationwide. I asked them to pinpoint the single largest hurdle in expanding data centers in the U.S.

I expected them to talk about issues like slow permitting, delays in adding new power sources, or challenges related to supply chains — all real and significant obstacles.

But surprisingly, they brought up a different challenge: a nationwide shortage of electricians.

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It’s not a shocking revelation. If you visit a data center construction site, one of the most noticeable features is the abundance of electricians. They are vital to constructing the vast and intricate network of electrical systems, including transformers, backup generators, and battery storage.

In states like Wisconsin, Washington, Virginia, Georgia, Texas, Iowa, Wyoming, and Arizona, where we’ve invested billions in infrastructure, we’ve hired thousands of electricians. But that’s still not enough.

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Due to local shortages in labor, we’ve had to employ electricians who commute up to 75 miles or even relocate temporarily from other parts of the country to fill these essential roles. This situation has pushed us to focus on a growing national need: How many electricians must the U.S. recruit and train over the next ten years?

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So, what’s our best estimate?

It’s likely that the country will need to add around half a million electricians.

Currently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are about 780,000 active electricians in the U.S., with roughly 80,000 open positions. The National Electrical Contractors Association adds that the median age of electricians is over 40, with nearly 30% of union electricians between 50 and 70 years old. With an estimated 20,000 electricians retiring each year, that means a loss of about 200,000 workers over the next decade.

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In addition to replacing retirees, we predict that an increasing demand for electricity will necessitate an additional 30,000 electricians annually, or 300,000 electricians over the next decade.

Yet, the U.S. currently lacks a national strategy to recruit and train the necessary workforce.

Good Jobs, But No National Strategy

The silver lining is that these jobs are well-paying and in high demand. However, the bad news is that we have no coherent national strategy to recruit and train individuals to fill these roles.

Given the Trump administration’s focus on supporting American workers, jobs, and innovation, we believe that boosting efforts to recruit and train more electricians should be a key priority. Several solutions are available, but they all require attention and action.

One example would be revitalizing industrial arts and shop classes in American high schools. When I was a student in Wisconsin in the 1970s, these classes were common and well-attended. However, they began to fade in the 1990s, and it is only now that we’re beginning to see a resurgence.

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This should become a priority at the local school board level, with the support of state governors and appropriate federal resources.

Post-secondary education and apprenticeship programs are equally vital. The Trump administration should consider using existing federal education and training funds, along with tax incentives, to scale these opportunities.

Forecasting Future Needs and Collaborating for Success

Additionally, we need to improve forecasting. This will require deeper partnerships between business and organized labor to understand the workforce needs in advance.

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While the tech sector typically focuses on computer science and coding, the future will also depend heavily on a new generation of skilled workers: engineers, electricians, plumbers, pipefitters, iron workers, carpenters, and others in the trades. These are all important, well-paying American jobs that will help build the future. And they must be part of our vision for a stronger, more resilient energy future.

Originally reported by Fox Business.