TheJobWalk E.30

Welcome to this week’s edition of TheJobWalk! Lowe’s CEO champions skilled trades over corporate paths for young talent, Micron supercharges U.S. tech with a historic $200B semiconductor investment, and JetZero lands a massive $4.7B aerospace venture in North Carolina. Meanwhile, Summit bets $1.6B on green jet fuel innovation in Houston. Let’s dive in!

NEWS
Lowe’s CEO Urges Youth to Embrace Trades Over Corporate Roles

Lowe’s CEO Marvin Ellison says young workers should stay close to customers and skilled trades, not corporate offices that face AI disruption. He told the Business Roundtable’s Workforce Forum that AI can handle many tasks, but can’t fix a roof, handle electrical problems, or stop a leaking water heater- hands-on work is still essential.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows nearly 250,000 construction jobs and 381,000 manufacturing jobs are open, proving there’s strong demand for trade professionals. Ellison believes front-line roles, whether on building sites or at Lowe’s nearly 1,750 stores, are less likely to be replaced by AI. He advises, “stay as close to the cash register as you can” to ensure job security and career growth.

He also highlighted Lowe’s tuition-free program that supports employees earning two- or four-year degrees. Some graduates go on to work for Lowe’s customers, like general contractors or builders, which helps meet even greater industry demand. This shows a strategy: focus on practical, customer-focused work and encourage education to stay ahead in the age of automation.

TheJobWalk’s got eyes on this too...

📰 Sterling Construction to acquire CEC (StreetInsider)
📰 Trillion-dollar 3D printing construction market (Presswire)
📰 Meta’s first nuclear agreement supports(Meta)

PROJECTS
Build of The Week

Micron’s $200B Plan Targets NY, ID, VA in Semiconductor Surge

Micron Technology has announced a massive $200 billion U.S investment through to 2030 to expand semiconductor manufacturing and R&D facilities nationwide. Micron’s plan includes four DRAM fabs in New York, a second fab in Idaho, Virginia plant upgrades, and $50B for U.S R&D.

Micron’s goal is to manufacture 40% of its DRAM chips in the U.S by the end of the decade and plans to create 90,000 jobs nationwide.

• Client/Developer: Micron Technology

• General Contractors: Under NDA

• Sector: Semiconductor / Advanced Manufacturing

• Value: $200 Billion

• Locations: New York, Idaho, Virginia

Movement in the field:

✈️Summit Drops $1.6B to Turn Jet Fuel Green in Houston: Summit NextGen closed on a 60-acre site along the Houston Ship Channel in September 2024 for its next-generation sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) facility. Site prep and engineering are underway, with full construction due to start shortly after the final investment decision. Commercial operations are slated to begin in 2027, making the plant North America’s largest ethanol-based SAF producer.

Key Details: Developer: Summit Next Gen, EPC: Burns & McDonnell, Sector: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), Value: $1.6 Billion, Location: Houston Ship Channel, Texas Gulf Coast

🚀JetZero’s $4.7B Bombshell in North Carolina: Recently, it was announced that JetZero will be investing $4.7 billion to construct a state-of-the-art production facility and HQ in Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO).The facility will produce the Z4, a 250-passenger blended-wing commercial jet designed to deliver up to 50% greater fuel efficiency compared to traditional tube-and-wing airplanes. This investment is set to create over 14,500 jobs across 2027 to 2036, which is set to be the largest job commitment in North Carolina history. The project is expected to break ground in 2026, with full production expected to be ready in late 2030. 

Key Details: Client: JetZero, General Contractors: TBD, Award: Aviation, Value: $4.7 Billion, Location: Greensboro, North Carolina

🛝Universal Drops $550M Playground in Texas: Universal began construction in November 2023 on the 97-acre Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas. The $550M development includes a 300-room hotel and a family-focused theme park covering 38 acres. Vertical construction is underway, the hotel’s third floor has risen, and the park is on track for opening in summer 2026.

Key Details: Owner/Developer: Universal Destinations & Experiences, General Contractor: Balfour Beatty US, Design Contractor: Gensler & Universal Creative, Utilities Contractor: Moss Utilities, Sector: Theme Park & Hospitality, Value: $550 Million, Location: Frisco, Texas

MEET LEWIS MICHAEL CONSULTANTS

Lewis Michael Consultants is a specialist recruitment firm focused solely on the U.S construction industry, operating from East to West Coast. 

Recent placements include General Superintendents, MEP Project Managers, and Electrical Project Managers, working on renowned projects with Google, Samsung & Tesla.

Whether it's a large-scale infrastructure project or a small development, Lewis Michael Consultants has the network to support recruitment needs across the spectrum.

WORLD
Liverpool Street Station, London

Network Rail Property has submitted revised plans for a transformative £1 billion redevelopment of Liverpool Street Station, London’s busiest rail hub.

The project includes a major station expansion and a new 7-storey office block above the station, scaled down from the original 21-storey design to reduce heritage impact. The redevelopment will nearly double concourse capacity, add three new entrances (Liverpool Street, Bishopsgate, and Exchange Square), and include 10 new escalators and 8 lifts for full step-free access across all platforms and the Underground.

The upgraded station will also feature expanded ticket halls, waiting areas, new retail and restaurant units, modern wayfinding, and family-friendly toilets. Restoration of historic architecture, including the Victorian-era roof and the Great Eastern Hotel, is a central part of the design.

Current annual passenger volume is approximately 118 million, projected to reach 158 million by 2041. The project aims to enable future capacity beyond 200 million passengers per year. Construction is expected to last about 8 years, with key station upgrades completed in the first 4 years.

TECH SPOTLIGHT
AIM Brings AI to Big Machines with $50 Million

AIM, based in Redmond, Washington, introduced the world’s first AI system that makes heavy earthmoving machines like bulldozers and excavators work by themselves. They just got $50 million in funding from big investors like Khosla Ventures, General Catalyst, Human Capital, Ironspring Ventures, Mantis, and DCVC.

This new system can be added to any make or model of machine right in the field. It helps companies run equipment all the time, use less fuel, and plan jobs better. Construction and mining can be risky and slow, but AIM’s AI platform keeps workers safe by letting machines dig and move dirt by themselves. This boosts productivity and cuts down on accidents. One mining expert said AIM’s tech “boosts equipment efficiency and maximizes utilization by operating continuously".

The team behind AIM has experience at places like Waymo, SpaceX, Google, Stripe, Tesla, and Apple. AIM says this is the start of a big shift—it could even help reshape land to fight floods, restore damaged areas, or even work on other planets.

QUICK FIRE ROUND
Your quiz questions for this week:

What’s a common method of HVAC air distribution?

A. Gravity-fed air // B. Ductwork // C. Capillary tube

What does the acronym “AHU” stand for in HVAC?

A. Air Heat Unit // B. Air Handling Unit // C. Airflow Holding Unit

What component in a breaker panel controls individual circuits?

A. Main lug // B. Breaker switch // C. Neutral bar

What is the purpose of insulation in walls?

A. Prevent mold // B. Control temperature and sound // C. Support framing

What material is often used for residential water supply lines today?

A. Galvanized steel // B. PEX // C. Clay

Check out the answers at the bottom.

WEEKLY FUNNY
Send first. Regret later.

REFLECTION
This week’s question to ask yourself✌️

How do I manage my energy throughout the day?

ANSWERS

Q1 B. Ductwork // Q2 B. Air Handling Unit // Q3 B. Breaker switch // Q4 B. Control temperature and sound // Q5 B. PEX

How many did you get?