BuildNow delivers practical, six-week data-center instruction for builders, operators, and leaders, including military members in transition and their spouses.
Strategic partnership gives transitioning service members and veterans fast-track, practical training and essential roles within the data center field.
Working with Semper Forward allows us to connect with more of these individuals and offer them a straightforward, rapid route into positions where their background is a direct advantage”— Dave KurtzGREEN BAY, WI, UNITED STATES, August 6, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Semper Forward, a Division of Fastport, an entity focused on linking transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses to fulfilling civilian professions, today revealed a strategic partnership with BuildNow, a workforce development platform constructing the talent supply for the data center sector, aimed at moving veterans into accelerated technical education and careers in mission-critical settings.
As artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure keep expanding nationwide, the data center field is seeing rapid growth to support healthcare, communications, finance, manufacturing, and national security. The need for skilled technicians, operators, electricians, and project managers is climbing faster than conventional workforce channels can manage.
Simultaneously, over 200,000 service members leave the military annually, bringing discipline, technical know-how, leadership capabilities, and mission-driven focus that these settings require — yet they frequently lack a direct route to turn those abilities into sought-after civilian jobs. Veterans represent a ready-made talent pool ideally suited to help bridge that workforce shortfall while supporting the infrastructure powering America's digital future.
This partnership links those two requirements. By combining Semper Forward’s military talent network with BuildNow’s accelerated, practical training approach, the collaboration helps veterans move from transition to a job-ready technical role within weeks, while providing data center employers with a steady stream of dependable, mission-oriented talent.
Under this partnership, Semper Forward will link transitioning service members and veterans to BuildNow’s career paths — Operations (Mechanical & Electrical), Delivery (Electrical), Operations (IT), and Data Center Project Manager. BuildNow provides immersive, lab-based instruction through its partner ForgeNow, a SkillBridge-approved organization, preparing candidates for employment in roughly six to eight weeks without needing prior industry background. Advisors support veterans in picking the appropriate path, converting military experience into industry competencies, applying eligible GI Bill® and SkillBridge benefits, and connecting with employers who are currently hiring.
“The individuals leaving military service possess exactly what mission-critical industries are founded on — precision, responsibility, and dedication to the mission. BuildNow provides them a swift, practical method to convert that into a genuine technical profession, and the data center sector gets the dependable, disciplined talent it urgently requires. This is the sort of partnership that transforms lives while simultaneously strengthening the workforce.”
— Brad Bentley, President, Fastport
“Veterans already understand how to function in structured, high-stakes settings where safety and uptime are paramount — that’s everyday reality in a data center. Collaborating with Semper Forward enables us to reach more of these individuals and provide them a straightforward, rapid pathway into careers where their background is an immediate benefit.”
— Dave Kurtz, President, BuildNow
What the partnership delivers for transitioning service members and veterans:
• Quick, practical training that readies candidates for employment in roughly six to eight weeks — no prior civilian experience necessary
• Four data center career paths: Operations (Mechanical & Electrical), Delivery (Electrical), Operations (IT), and Data Center Project Manager
• Instruction provided by ForgeNow, a SkillBridge-approved partner, with assistance for eligible GI Bill® and veteran education benefits
• Skill conversion, career guidance, and links to employers with active openings in mission-critical settings
About BuildNow
BuildNow is a workforce development platform aimed at creating a sustainable talent pipeline for the data center sector. Powered by practical training from ForgeNow, BuildNow connects individuals to high-demand technical careers in as little as six to eight weeks and supports employers with job-ready talent for mission-critical settings. BuildNow is an Overwatch Mission Critical company. Learn more at webuildnow.ai.
About Semper Forward, a Division of Fastport
Semper Forward, a division of Fastport, connects educational institutions and employers with motivated talent through strategic outreach, recruitment campaigns, and workforce pipeline development solutions. Semper Forward is committed to supporting U.S. service members, veterans, and military spouses as they transition to civilian careers through a robust network of partners and resources. Learn more at www.semperforward.com.
Paige Faulconer
Fastport
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