Erie County Community College chooses FBA’s OpTIC Path to accelerate fibre technician training
Deborah Kish of Fiber Broadband Association
The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) has announced Erie County Community College is now offering FBA’s Optical Telecom Installer Certification (OpTIC Path) programme. The course will train skilled fibre technicians needed to expand local fibre networks in and around Erie, Pa., and connect their communities to high-performance broadband services.
Many service providers across the country are looking to build or expand fibre broadband networks and take advantage of the momentous opportunity that the NTIA’s $42.45 billion (€38.50 billion) BEAD fund creates. However, there exists a gap in skilled technicians capable of deploying the fibre that can connect America to high-quality broadband. FBA’s OpTIC Path programme works to eliminate this workforce shortage so that the fibre broadband industry can close the digital equity gap.
FBA is currently engaged with 39 states to roll out the OpTIC Path programme, with 40 service providers, 67 community colleges and training institutions, and electric cooperatives in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Tennessee, and Oklahoma have either adopted or are interested in the programme. The programme is gaining support from employers across the fibre broadband industry, working closely with schools and training facilities so they can hire certified technicians as soon as they are ready to enter the workforce.
Erie County Community College is America’s new community college and is laser-focused on workforce development in northwest Pennsylvania. It is partnering with VNet Fiber the region’s only locally owned and operated internet service provider. Graduates of the OpTIC Path programme will create a pipeline of talent that will support VNet Fiber’s plans to expand its fibre optic network by 100%.
“The OpTIC Path program will deliver new job opportunities for Erie County that will have an immediate and long-lasting impact on workforce development,” says Rebecca Walker, dean of workforce development at Erie County Community College. “This course is an exciting addition to our school and we look forward to seeing certified technicians help connect our communities for years to come.”
“In order to meet our growth goals, it is critical that we maintain a fluid pipeline of skilled fibre technicians. The OpTIC Path program and our partnership with Erie County Community College will accomplish that,” says Matt Wiertel, director of sales and business development for VNet Fiber. “This collaboration will ensure that we can safely deploy fibre to our communities, maintain efficiency, and ensure our residents and businesses have access to high-quality broadband.”
“Our industry must first build a solid fibre technician workforce before it can officially close the digital equity gap,” says Deborah Kish, vice president of research and workforce development at Fiber Broadband Association. “The OpTIC Path program provides the tools needed for any school, college, or other training facility to effectively train skilled fibre technicians.”
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