Vermont State, Local, National Partnership Launches to Build Broadband Workforce Pipeline in Orleans County

NEWPORT, VT – North Country Career Center (NCCC), which serves Orleans County youth and eligible adults, announced a new pre-apprenticeship program for broadband industry careers. The program launched in partnership with the national Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP), powered by the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA), and the Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB).

The NCCC and TIRAP partnership was announced today in conjunction with Governor Phil Scott’s ‘Capital for a Day’ county tour in Orleans County. Members of the Governor’s cabinet and staff toured the NCCC heavy equipment labs and joined a signing of the NCCC and TIRAP partnership agreement.

“This partnership between the North Country Career Center and the Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program exemplifies Vermont’s commitment to building a skilled, future-ready workforce. By aligning our educational resources with high-demand industries like broadband, we are creating valuable opportunities for Vermonters to gain the expertise needed for meaningful careers. The success of this program will not only benefit Orleans County but strengthen Vermont’s economy as a whole,” said Vermont Department of Labor Deputy Commissioner Dustin Degree.

“We’re honored to be here for this important milestone. We started working to develop an apprenticeship program more than two years ago and are so proud to have North Country signed on. Their training will enable Vermonters to start down a rewarding and lucrative career path while also helping to get their communities connected to broadband,” said VCBB Executive Director Christine Hallquist.

As a U.S. Department of Labor National Sponsor of Apprenticeship, TIRAP assists employers in establishing apprenticeship programs for 16 telecommunications and broadband occupations. NCCC will now offer its students courses aligned to four of TIRAP’s occupations: Fiber Optic Technicians, Underground Utility Installers, Overhead Utility Installers, and Broadband Technicians. WIA will also provide connections to more than 100 TIRAP-sponsored employer programs to ensure the success of the apprenticeship career path. 

“Being able to provide our friends and neighbors the opportunity to learn the skills required to have a good paying career right in the Northeast Kingdom is really exciting. Training programs, apprenticeships in particular, work because the industry sends employees to get the training. When employees invest in their employees’ education they both benefit tremendously. North Country Career Center is proud to be a part of  the careers of so many people and we are willing to do so much more,” said NCCC Assistant Director for Adult Education Christian Damato.

“Apprenticeship is a proven model for developing a skilled workforce and Vermont is leading the way. NCCC’s pre-apprenticeship graduates will come to employers with a significant amount of training complete, offering an advantage for the graduates and cost savings to the employer. We’re proud to partner with NCCC to buildout a broadband career pipeline for Vermonters,” said Patrick Halley, President and CEO of WIA, the national sponsor of TIRAP.

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About Vermont Community Broadband BoardIt is the purpose of the Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) and Vermont Community Broadband Fund to support policies and programs designed to accelerate community efforts that advance the State’s goal of achieving universal access to reliable, high-quality, affordable, and fixed broadband. The VCBB was created to coordinate, facilitate, support, and accelerate the development and implementation of universal community broadband solutions.

About North Country Career CenterThe North Country Career Center (NCCC) serves the students at Lake Region Union High School (LRUHS), North Country Union High School (NCUH), private school, home-schooled students, and eligible adult students in our region. NCCC offers each student the opportunity to participate in quality technical education programs, with the goal of pursuing a postsecondary certificate or degree and/or gainful employment. All NCCC instruction includes classroom, lab, and applied learning experiences using state-of the-art industry equipment.

About TIRAP, powered by WIA
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 and broadband workforce.