New Delhi, June 9 -- Meta Platforms has unveiled a $115 million workforce training initiative that will offer Americans free, five-week courses in skilled trades and a guaranteed job upon graduation, as the company races to staff the sprawling data centres it needs to compete in the artificial intelligence industry.

The programme, called America's Workforce Academy, is being launched in partnership with commercial real estate services firm CBRE and the Associated Builders and Contractors. It targets a critical shortage of skilled tradespeople across the US, offering training in roles including electrical work, HVAC installation, welding, plumbing and fibre-optic technology.

Participants who complete the course will receive an industry-r...