By Laura Hyde |
North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) and Microsoft have expanded their partnership to provide no-cost AI literacy courses and industry-recognised credentials for millions of construction workers and tradespeople across North America who lack necessary AI skills.
The partnership, which has already resulted in 1,500 instructors being trained, also extends to TradesFutures, a nonprofit organisation offering apprenticeship readiness programmes in 34 US states to prepare individuals for careers in the construction industry. AI literacy will be built into TradesFutures’ apprenticeship programmes, which enrol more than 7,700 people annually.
“The people building the physical infrastructure of the AI economy, like electricians, ironworkers and pipefitters, deserve a share in its opportunity,” said Brad Smith, vice chair and president of Microsoft. “That’s why we’re expanding our work with NABTU, bringing free AI training to millions of skilled craft professionals across North America, while preserving the hands-on expertise that defines their craft.”
The firms will provide access to AI skills training, which will focus on preparing participants to complete real-life tasks on jobsites and improving safety and quality. The training will be delivered through trusted union apprenticeship systems, such as NABTU’s Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC), in training centres across all 50 states and Canada, as well as Microsoft’s online LinkedIn Learning platform.
Microsoft and NABTU are working with JATC faculty, instructors and training directors to co-design curriculum and tailor AI use cases which reflect the needs of the skilled trades. Courses are open to instructors, leaders, apprentices and skilled trades professionals across North America. Upon completion, participants can earn an industry-recognised AI literacy credential.
“Through this expanded collaboration with Microsoft, we are making AI training available to instructors, apprentices and journey-level workers across our system,” said Sean McGarvey, president of NABTU. “This work helps keep the building trades at the forefront of innovation while advancing our mission to deliver family-sustaining careers and help shape how new technology expands opportunity for every worker.