The Fiber Broadband Association’s (FBA) Optical Telecom Installer Certification program (OpTIC Path) has the distinction of becoming the second credentialed program to be offered by the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA), the two associations announced jointly this week.
The OpTIC Path program — a comprehensive fiber optic technician certification course — encompasses a 144-hour curriculum comprised of classroom instruction and hands-on skills training. It prepares graduates to install, test, troubleshoot, and maintain fiber networks and other broadband infrastructure. Those who complete the program are tested and certified as Optical Telecom Installers.
“Expanding the workforce with highly skilled and trained technicians is currently one of the most critical requirements impacting the success of the fiber broadband industry,” said Deborah Kish, vice president, research and workforce development at FBA.
“We know that nearly 180,000 workers are needed over the next decade to fulfill planned federal and state broadband funding. Our expanding partnership with WIA is a great example of valuable collaboration across the industry, bringing us closer to the connectivity finish line where we will close the digital divide for all Americans.”
The addition of FBA’s OpTIC Path program expands WIA’s Telecommunications Education Center (TEC), which also includes a 5G Readiness credential program. WIA describes TEC as a world-class training resource for employers, institutions of higher education, and individual learners of all backgrounds and experience. TEC has more than 30 technical courses ranging from on-demand virtual courses to live, instructor-taught courses.
“We are pleased to partner with FBA to expand the education and training offerings of WIA’s Telecommunications Education Center,” Patrick Halley, WIA’s president and CEO said in the announcement.
“Adding FBA’s OpTIC Path program within TEC is one more way that WIA and FBA are working together to support employers with the critical training courses they need to prepare for the future, while enabling individuals to turn a job into a career within the broadband industry.”
This partnership expands WIA and FBA’s work on Registered Apprenticeship. Since 2017, WIA has led the Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP) as a U.S. Dept. of Labor-designated intermediary, engaging 100+ employers and training nearly 6,000 apprentices in 16 certified occupations. FBA’s Optic Path course is integrated into TIRAP to support training for multiple roles.
As demonstrated by the WIA partnership, access to the FBA’s OpTIC Path program has been growing. Last November, FBA announced that the program had been officially endorsed by the North Carolina Workforce Credential Advisory Council and listed on the North Carolina Careers site. At that time, the program was available at the College of the Albemarle and Wilson Community College, with plans for more availability throughout the state.
The FBA also offers a membership bundle that combines FBA membership with the OpTIC Path program.
