Exploring Professional Development in Telecom: Introducing the Learning Path Navigator 

By Tessa Doets, Manager of Learning Solutions, WIA 

One of our priorities at WIA is continuing to serve the learning and workforce needs of the industry. For WIA’s Telecommunications Educations Center (TEC), that includes developing courses on new and emerging topics while also making the resources we already have easier for people to find and use. 

TEC’s catalog of more than 50 courses covers wireless infrastructure, fiber, RF and spectrum, broadband deployment, 5G and 5G Advanced, satellite communications, AI in telecom, leadership, workforce development and other areas relevant to the industry. 

We work with individual learners as well as companies, government partners and educators. Depending on the need, that may mean one course, a series of courses organized into a learning path or a customized program for a team or organization. 

Recently, we were excited to launch the new Learning Path Navigator (Navigator) to provide another way to identify those needs and connect them with relevant TEC resources. 

The Learning Path Navigator gives telecom professionals and employers a quick way to identify learning opportunities based on their roles, interests and professional development goals. 

The Navigator draws from TEC’s full catalog of courses across wireless, broadband and telecommunications. In less than two minutes, users can answer a short series of questions and receive recommendations for individual courses, course bundles and a suggested learning pathway based on what they want to learn. 

→ Explore the TEC Learning Path Navigator 

Built for Individual and Workforce Development 

The new tool addresses a question we hear regularly from both individuals and organizations: Where should we start? 

Professional development needs can look very different across the industry. Someone entering telecom may need a foundation in wireless networks, infrastructure and spectrum. An experienced professional may want to expand their knowledge of AI, satellite connectivity or 5G Advanced. An employer may be looking for resources to support onboarding, cross-training or the development of employees in particular roles. 

The Navigator can be used for your own professional development or with an employee or team in mind. 

Individuals can use the tool to learn about topics outside their current area of expertise, strengthen foundational knowledge or identify courses related to their professional interests. 

Managers and employers can use it to consider development opportunities across their workforce. The Navigator can be completed multiple times, allowing organizations to see different recommendations for employees, roles or teams. 

Explore the Learning Path Navigator 

The TEC’s Learning Path Navigator is available now. Take a few minutes to see what it recommends for you, your team or someone in your organization. 

→ Find Your Learning Path 

For those who would prefer to review the TEC catalog one-on-one, our team is also available to discuss your professional development or workforce needs and walk through the available options. Contact TEC@wia.org to schedule a conversation. 

And if you know a colleague, employee or industry peer who may be considering what to learn next, we encourage you to share the Navigator with them as well.