A California electrical contractor has launched an aggressive recruitment campaign to support the development of Texas’ digital and energy infrastructure.
San Jose-based Rosendin aims to hire 700 skilled tradeworkers across Dallas-Fort Worth, Temple, Abilene, and Austin, as reported by Construction Dive.
San, Jose, California-based electrical contractor, Rosendin, is aiming to hire 700 tradeworkers for their teams in Dallas-Fort Worth, Temple, Abilene and Austin, according to a recent Construction Dive article.
These workers have played key roles in projects like the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport terminal expansion and infrastructure upgrades at Texas A&M and the University of Texas. The company is currently seeking commercial electricians, journeymen, and solar panel installers for Texas projects spanning offsite manufacturing, aviation, transportation, semiconductor facilities, commercial construction, education, data centers, and renewable energy.
“Our growth in Texas catapulted in 2023, with contract awards in biomedical, transportation, semiconductor and mission-critical,” said Rosendin Operations Manager, Shaun Mahan. “The momentum of 2023 has continued throughout 2024 and we expect it to extend well beyond 2025. We continue to see tremendous growth in the data center market to support the growing demand for AI, cloud resources, and data analytics. The demand for skilled tradespeople and project leadership continues to exceed the labor supply.”
According to Construction Dive, Rosendin has crafted a strategy to stand out from competitors and attract the workers it needs amid the ongoing skilled labor shortage.
Mahan explained that the company collaborated with local chapters of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the National Electrical Contractors Association to form the Electrical Training Alliance.
“This program combines classroom and online learning to improve the apprenticeship experience and offer flexibility,” he added.
Along with collaborating with local union halls to recruit men and women interested in pursuing careers as electricians, Mahan said the company aims to strengthen the workforce for the long term by partnering with local school districts to inform students, parents, and teachers about opportunities in the field.
To support this effort, the company has intensified its recruitment efforts in Texas, including launching a hiring website to attract craftworkers in the region.
Mahan told Construction Dive that Rosendin’s hiring initiative is going “extremely well” so far, but most of the onboarding will come next spring. The firm expects to hire approximately 500 electricians by April.
“We foresee the new hires in Texas becoming valuable assets to the Rosendin team and potential conduits for future leadership, innovations and award-winning work,” Mahan said. “We’re a culture of learning and development, so it’s always exciting to see what the next generation of craft workers will do with their legacies.”
Ongoing Construction Trends at Odds
Rosendin’s aggressive hiring campaign highlights two significant industry trends: the surge in construction projects focused on artificial intelligence and data centers with immense power demands, and the persistent shortage of skilled tradespeople needed to complete these projects.
In recent years, data center construction in the United States has grown rapidly, driven by the increasing demand for data processing and storage. This reflects not only the rising use of digital services by businesses and consumers but also a strategic push by tech companies and investors to bolster infrastructure for an increasingly digital world.
Key factors driving this growth include:
– Digital Transformation: Businesses embracing cloud computing, big data analytics, and online services require robust IT infrastructure
– IoT and AI: The proliferation of IoT devices and advances in AI generate massive data demands, fueling data center expansion
– Remote Work and Learning: Accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work and online education have significantly increased data processing needs
– Regulations: Data sovereignty laws and privacy regulations encourage localized data storage and processing
– Geographic Hotspots: Regions like Northern Virginia, Silicon Valley, and Dallas lead the charge due to favorable energy costs, climate, and connectivity
Sustainability is another critical trend, as companies adopt renewable energy, advanced cooling systems, and energy-efficient designs. However, the energy-intensive nature of data centers poses challenges for balancing growth with sustainability.
Compounding this demand is the construction industry’s labor shortage, driven by an aging workforce—nearly 45% of construction workers are over 45—and difficulties attracting younger talent. The sector’s reputation for volatility and demanding conditions, along with competition from industries offering better work-life balance, further exacerbates the issue.
This shortage has forced contractors to decline projects, delay timelines, and increase costs. To address this, firms like Rosendin are adopting proactive strategies:
– Early Outreach: Promoting skilled trades in schools and vocational programs to change perceptions and attract younger generations
– Diversity and Inclusion: Expanding recruitment efforts to include women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups while fostering inclusive workplaces
– Technology Adoption: Integrating innovations like AI and digital tools to modernize workflows and appeal to tech-savvy individuals
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