More than half of broadband industry personnel recognize the importance of structured training programs to help build the broadband workforce and are working to implement them, according to a new survey. However, the survey also found that the effectiveness of the training and the time to productivity remain challenges.
The survey was conducted for the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) and NCTI and published in a paper titled, “Employer Workforce Preparedness in the Fiber Broadband Industry: How Build-Ready are We?”
“The survey results highlight the positive momentum within the industry to revamp recruitment strategies and make telecom careers more appealing to the next generation,” NCTI CEO Stacey Slaughter said in a press release about the broadband workforce survey. “By establishing rewarding career pathways, we can attract new talent, reduce attrition, and increase employee investment.”
The survey, which gathered opinions from fiber broadband providers, contractors and large companies across the industry, found that more than half of respondents said the knowledge and/or skill of their current workforce is insufficient for current and future fiber projects. The opportunity and challenge are that almost 70% of fiber techs are nearing retirement.
The survey found that on-the-job training remains a common practice but, at the same time, there is a trend towards integrating comprehensive training models aimed at enhancing safety, quality, and efficiency.
The survey also showed that many broadband industry companies are focusing on providing career pathways and credentialing systems aimed at attracting younger talent and demonstrating investment in their workforce.
Training the next generation of fiber technicians is a huge issue for the industry. There is a general acknowledgement that it is a high priority. Last September, Deborah Kish, the Vice President of Research and Workforce Development for the FBA told Telecompetitor that her group estimates that 180,000 the broadband workforce would need to 180,000 workers during the next five years.
Earlier this month, for instance, NCTI and Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) announced that CCA would be NCTI’s official training partner for a one-year pilot program. CCA will provide curated training content to competitive carriers across North America. The training would address critical operational gaps in areas such as frontline leadership, people skills, and customer care.
Also this month, SCTE and Colorado State University Global (CSU Global) announced the launch of a workforce training program. The SCTE/CSU Global program is part of CSU Global’s new Broadband Operations Management Certificate. The program will offer training in broadband infrastructure, focusing on fiber optics, directional drilling, utility safety, and leadership skills.
