WIA Joins Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted to Strengthen Ohio’s Broadband and 5G Workforce

State Funds Launch of Fiber Optic Technician Program at Tri-County Career Center 

NELSONVILLE, OH – The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) joined Lt. Governor Jon Husted as he announced the launch of a new Fiber Optic Technician Training Program and a broader effort to strengthen Ohio’s broadband and 5G workforce.  In remarks, WIA supported Lt. Governor Husted and the Ohio Office of Workforce Transformation’s unprecedented investment in broadband and workforce initiatives.  

“On behalf of the wireless industry, I congratulate Lieutenant Governor Husted and his entire administration. I commend your vision and these laudable goals,” said WIA’s Executive Vice President Tim House during his speech at the Tri-County Career Center.  “At its core, this investment signals a transformation.  For 5G is not just the next generation of speed, it is a catalyst for change and economic development some have characterized as on par with electricity and the printing press.

5G deployment has the potential to contribute $1.7 trillion to the U.S. economy and create 4.6 million jobs over the next decade.  For the U.S. to win the global race to 5G, the current workforce needs to be trained and developed with the technical skills needed to deploy next generation broadband networks.  Programs like the Fiber Optic Technician Training announced today are critical to closing this skills gap and ensuring that Ohioans benefit from the jobs and innovation that 5G deployment will create.  

As the National Sponsor of the DOL-registered Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP), WIA is a leader in the development of telecommunications apprenticeships and workforce training crucial to the expansion deployment of 5G.  Its Telecommunications Education Center (TEC) boasts a catalog of more than 30 courses developed by experts from industry and academia.  

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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 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. 

About TEC: 

The Telecommunications Education Center (TEC) is a dynamic learning program devoted to improving education, quality of work, and safety within the telecommunications industry.  TEC trains the wireless workforce for the future to meet the demands of 5G. 

Contact: Sasha Galbreath | 443-418-6644 | sasha.galbreath@wia.org