Department of Labor Approves More High-growth Industry Career Path Opportunities

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) and the Power & Communication Contractors Association (PCCA) announced that the Department of Labor (DoL) has approved two new occupations for apprenticeship training through WIA’s Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP). The new occupations are Overhead Utility Installer Technician and Underground Utility Installer Technician.

“Not only does this approval from DoL demonstrate that there is a national focus on the need to train for the jobs of tomorrow, but it also offers additional career pathways for those who want to enter the growth industry of communications,” said WIA President and CEO Jonathan Adelstein. “WIA, along with PCCA, is committed to launching, promoting, and expanding apprenticeships to support workforce development in our high-growth industries. With DoL’s support, we’re able to expand opportunities for underrepresented populations and support long–term careers to cultivate diversity in the workforce.”

“Overhead and underground utilities are essential to both the national deployment of 5G wireless networks and modern electric power infrastructure,” said PCCA President and CEO Tim Wagner. “Our members excel at these endeavors and now seek to build upon our success by partnering with WIA to develop and further expand our workforce to meet growing demands.”

WIA is leading a national effort to expand the size, quality, and diversity of the telecommunications industry workforce with partner organization PCCA. DoL has recognized WIA as the National Sponsor of TIRAP and as the Industry Intermediary for telecommunications apprentice programs. DoL is supporting these efforts with significant resources to expand WIA’s TIRAP program. TIRAP currently offers 11 occupations within its training program. More than 33 employers and 2,000 apprentices are currently registered in TIRAP.

Graduates of TIRAP apprenticeships receive national, portable, industry-recognized credentials that certify proficiency in specific occupations. The Department Labor data shows that 94 percent of apprentices retain employment after an apprenticeship program ends and lists additional benefits such as reducing turnover, improving productivity, and recruiting a skilled and diverse workforce.

The DoL announcement can be found here under “New Apprenticeable Occ OUIT and UUIT.” More information about the occupations can be found here.

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About WIA:
The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) represents the businesses that build, develop, own, and operate the nation’s wireless infrastructure. WIA advocates for the widespread, responsible deployment of wireless infrastructure to enable mobile broadband for communities everywhere.  

About PCCA:
The Power & Communication Contractors Association is the national trade association for companies constructing electric power facilities, including transmission and distribution lines and substations and telephone, fiber optic, and cable television systems.

Other areas of members’ business activities include directional drilling, local area and premises wiring, water and sewer utilities, gas and oil pipelines.

About TIRAP:
The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) is the National Sponsor of the Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP), a DoL-registered apprenticeship program. Since 2017, WIA has administered National Standards of Apprenticeship for DoL-approved occupations established under the program. Graduates receive national, industry-recognized credentials that certify occupation proficiency and expand opportunities for career advancement. WIA supports participating employers in promoting consistency and uniformity in training across occupations to improve the safety and quality of the wireless workforce.

WIA Press Contact: Amy-Gabrielle Bartolac, Public Affairs Manager
703-621-0527 | Amy-Gabrielle.Bartolac@wia.org

PCCA Press Contact: Mike Ancell | Vice President
703-212-4962 | mancell@pccaweb.org