The University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) is actively preparing its construction management students for high-demand industry roles, including jobs at the Richland Parish Meta AI Data Center. On February 25, the university hosted a career fair, bringing top construction firms to campus to connect with students.

Major industry players such as Mortenson Construction, Turner Construction, and DPR Construction attended the event, offering students opportunities in both internship and full-time positions.

High Demand for Construction Jobs at Meta Project

Officials from DPR Construction, one of the key firms involved in the Meta AI Data Center project, emphasized their need for top talent in the region. The company is actively hiring for a variety of construction roles, including:

• 150 office administration jobs
• Thousands of skilled trades positions

“We’re starting our staff ramp-up now, we are hiring today and will be probably until the end of the year. We need a lot of people, and we’re taking applications,” said Corey Wilson, a representative from DPR Construction.

“This project presents the opportunity for all kinds of people to join the industry. We love people who come from engineering backgrounds, other construction work whether it’s residential or landscape or big or small.”

ULM’s Construction Management Program Sees 100% Job Placement

ULM’s School of Construction Management is known for its exceptional job placement rate, with 100% of graduates securing employment after completing their degrees. The university is dedicated to equipping students with the necessary skills to thrive in large-scale projects like Meta’s data center.

“There’s a large demand for our students, not just around the region, but also nationally and sometimes internationally,” said Clint Martin, Director of ULM’s School of Construction Management.

“We’re teaching them stuff like scheduling, estimating, surveying, and more. They take a lot of business courses as well, like accounting and management courses, because they’re going to be managers and leaders in the construction field.”

Expanding Hiring Efforts Across Northeast Louisiana

Beyond ULM, DPR Construction has plans to visit other universities in Northeast Louisiana in search of additional talent for its workforce. The company is looking for students interested in both internships and full-time positions.

For those interested in applying for construction jobs with DPR Construction, more information can be found on their official website.

With projects like the Meta AI Data Center driving demand, ULM continues to be a vital pipeline for workforce development in the construction industry, ensuring students are well-prepared for high-paying, in-demand careers.

Originally reported by Jasmine Bingham in Knoe 8 News.