Fiber Broadband Association OpTIC Path™ Workforce Development Program Reaches New Schools, States, and Success

Fiber optic technician training program helps shape the next generation of fiber technicians, helping communities across the United States access affordable, high-speed fiber broadband networks

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) today announced that it has welcomed a stream of new schools to the list of institutions offering the Optical Telecom Installer Certification (OpTIC Path™) program. FBA estimates that 180,000 new workers will be needed over the next decade to meet the construction, maintenance, and expansion demands associated with the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. The OpTIC Path program provides crucial skills to jumpstart a future-proof career in fiber broadband while also helping fill the broadband technician workforce gap that plagues North America.

“The future of fiber is now. We must begin training the next generation of fiber technicians today to build successful fiber networks tomorrow,” said Deborah Kish, Vice President of Research and Workforce Development at the Fiber Broadband Association. “I’m excited to see that our OpTIC Path program continues to grow across the states and more institutions. Together, we are ensuring that we have the workforce to successfully deploy fiber to communities, and we’re also increasing opportunities for successful and rewarding careers.”

The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) just announced it will expand its support of the OpTIC Path program and include it in WIA’s Telecommunications Education Center curriculum. Additionally, FBA’s OpTIC Path program is implemented at schools and institutions across the U.S., including most recently at Illinois’ Morrison Institute of Technology, Southside Virginia Community College, University of Arkansas Hope Texarkana, Mississippi Delta Community College Caps Center, and Tennessee’s Bledsoe County School District.

The Bledsoe County Schools found broad value in the OpTIC Path program. Fiber broadband careers appeal to their students for several reasons, including career stability and opportunities for growth, competitive pay and benefits, no technical or college degree necessary, and job satisfaction. Upon graduating, these new technicians will be able to help positively impact their communities as Tennessee prepares to utilize the $813 million granted to the state under the BEAD program. Moreover, fiber broadband is critical for the rural areas of Bledsoe County Community because of its transformative impact on daily life, economic development, education, and healthcare.

“By partnering with FBA to offer the OpTIC Path program, Southside Virginia Community College is providing community members a pathway to advance their education and succeed in exciting career options,” said Dennis Smith, Director of Workforce Development.

Selina Sparkman, Director of Schools at Bledsoe County School District, added, "The hands-on training and industry-recognized certification in fiber optics equip our students with highly sought-after skills, offering valuable opportunities for their futures, while fostering economic growth in our communities.”

FBA is engaged with 40 of its targeted 56 states and territories to roll out the OpTIC Path program, with 44 service providers and 70 community colleges and training institutions. The OpTIC Path program is rapidly gaining traction among employers in the fiber broadband industry. These employers work hand-in-hand with schools and training institutions to ensure a steady supply of certified technicians ready to join the workforce. Furthermore, they are integrating OpTIC Path into their workforce development programs, leveraging it to reskill and upskill their existing employees as part of their overall workforce development strategy.

To learn more, visit fiberbroadband.org/education-and-certification/fba-optic-path/.

About the Fiber Broadband Association

The Fiber Broadband Association is the largest and only trade association that represents the complete fiber ecosystem of service providers, manufacturers, industry experts, and deployment specialists dedicated to the advancement of fiber broadband deployment and the pursuit of a world where communications are limitless, advancing quality of life and digital equity anywhere and everywhere. The Fiber Broadband Association helps providers, communities, and policy makers make informed decisions about how, where, and why to build better fiber broadband networks. Since 2001, these companies, organizations, and members have worked with communities and consumers in mind to build the critical infrastructure that provides the economic and societal benefits that only fiber can deliver. The Fiber Broadband Association is part of the Fibre Council Global Alliance, which is a platform of six global FTTH Councils in North America, LATAM, Europe, MEA, APAC, and South Africa. Learn more at fiberbroadband.org.