Training 25,000 New Electricians in North Carolina with David Etzwiler
About this episode
David Etzwiler discusses the electrician shortage and a workforce initiative in North Carolina to train new electricians.
The electrician shortage is real: 10,000 retire each year, only 7,000 enter. Siemens Foundation CEO David Etzwiler is building a $9.25M solution. Meanwhile, 130,000 new electrical jobs are coming online in the next decade — driven by AI, data centers, and hyperscaler buildouts. The gap between demand and supply is accelerating. Yet most people still think of the trades as a backup plan, not a first choice. David Etzwiler is the CEO of the Siemens Foundation, the corporate philanthropic arm of Siemens USA. He leads Careers Electric, a $9.25 million workforce initiative in North Carolina that is building a multi-lane highway from middle school to employer — with real training, real wages, and real career paths in the electrical trades. In this episode, Andrew and David dig into the data center boom, why the 30-to-90-day retention window is where most employers lose new workers, and why mentorship isn't just good practice — it's the only thing that makes apprenticeship actually work. If you're in the trades, work with tradespeople, or want to steer someone toward a high-paying career without a four-year degree, this one is for you. IN THIS EPISODE (00:00) – The AI and Electrician…
People in this episode
Host: Andrew Brown
Guest: David Etzwiler
Topics covered
- electrician shortage
- workforce initiative
- trades careers
- mentorship
- data centers
- apprenticeship
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Siemens Foundation, Siemens USA
Places: North Carolina
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