West Texas employers are working to scale pathways to new careers in the region’s booming energy and data processing sectors.
The bitcoin mining and data center industries are booming in Texas, creating new roles that blend cutting-edge technology with hands-on, impactful work. But as these industries grow, employers struggle to close a skills gap.
How do they attract and identify talent with a rare combination of technical, mechanical, durable, and physical skills for increasingly complex and evolving organizational and industry needs?
In September 2024, we gathered about 15 employers in West Texas, both in person and virtually, to identify barriers to filling critical job roles and exploring opportunities to create talent pipelines across the region. What we heard was a resounding call for a connected approach to workforce development — one that brings together local industries, educators, and community partners to cultivate the next generation of talent.
We summarized those perspectives and insights from our conversations in this brief report, Unlocking Workforce Potential in Texas’ Growing Data Center and Bitcoin Mining Sectors, providing a roadmap for addressing the workforce needs in the region.
The insights include:
+ There’s a clear gap between current training programs and the skill sets needed for fast-evolving digital jobs in the industry.
+ We need to tell a compelling story about the diversity, criticality, and engagement these roles offer to attract the next generation of talent.
+ We have the opportunity to collaborate and create clear talent pipelines to drive industry growth with significant overlap in skills and roles across the industry.
“The world needs more power, bigger data centers and bigger grids — and the people of Texas are going to deliver. Texas is No. 1 in oil, natural gas, wind, solar, and bitcoin mining, and while we’re No. 2 in data center power, we’re just getting warmed up,” said Gideon O. Powell, CEO of Dallas-based Cholla Inc, a leader in this initiative. “We’ve always led America’s energy needs, and this new energy and AI renaissance is only beginning. With linemen, electricians, technicians, construction crews, engineers, and facility managers, we’re ready to power the future again. But to get there, we need the right training, shaped by the companies hiring for these critical roles that will drive America’s future.”
Join the movement
Whether you’re part of the bitcoin mining or data center industries, a service provider in oil and gas (which will help power these growing industries), or an educator shaping the future of our workforce, we want you to join us. Let’s connect, collaborate, and create a future where Texas stands as a leader in tech-driven innovation.
