Youngstown State University Chooses Fiber Broadband Association’s OpTIC Path™ Program to Support

FBA helps Ohio school provide job-ready training and valuable career pathways to students

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today at Fiber Connect 2025, the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) announced Youngstown State University (YSU) launched FBA’s Optical Telecom Installer Certification (OpTIC Path™) program that offers comprehensive, hands-on training for fiber optic technicians. By adopting this program, YSU reaffirms its commitment to regional workforce development, innovation in STEM education, and leadership within Ohio’s broadband and 5G sector.

“YSU is excited to partner with the Fiber Broadband Association to offer cutting-edge workforce training that meets the evolving needs of the broadband sector,” said Lindsey Ekstrand, Director of Workforce Education Programs at YSU. “This program aligns with our mission to provide innovative, industry-driven education that leads to quality career opportunities.”

FBA workforce development initiatives include aligning education, industry, and government to meet the increasing demand for skilled fiber optic installers. YSU’s implementation of the OpTIC Path program is part of a larger strategy to expand its role in the Northeast node of the Ohio Broadband and 5G Sector Partnership—an organization that FBA has been a member of since 2023.

The program is bolstered by strong industry support from Preformed Line Products and Sumitomo Electric Lightwave—both FBA members and active contributors to the training experience through instructional modules and field expertise. Graduates of YSU’s OpTIC Path program also benefit from access to a national network of over 100 employers through FBA’s partnership with the Wireless Infrastructure Association’s (WIA) Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP), expanding their career prospects across the country.

The OpTIC Path program's first cohort at YSU saw remarkable results—50% of participants were interviewed and offered employment before completing the course. The curriculum not only includes technical training but also emphasizes essential soft skills, which proved instrumental in students’ success during interviews and on the job.

“Completing the OpTIC Path course and receiving a certificate is not a conclusion, but a vibrant launchpad,” said Todd Jackson, Executive Director of Workforce Development at FBA. “By training the next generation of fiber optic professionals, YSU is helping to ensure Northeast Ohio is positioned for digital and economic success. The program promises to accelerate broadband deployment, close local skill gaps, and enable a more connected future for the Mahoning Valley and beyond.”

FBA’s OpTIC Path program is a comprehensive training solution designed to address the growing need for skilled fiber optic technicians in the telecommunications industry. The program equips individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to design, install, maintain, and troubleshoot fiber optic networks. FBA is currently engaged with 40 states to roll out the OpTIC Path program, with 44 service providers and 70 community colleges and training institutions. The program is expected to graduate around 1,200 new fiber techs per year over the next five years as the need for skilled labor continues to grow.

To learn more about the OpTIC Path program, visit https://fiberbroadband.org/education-and-certification/fba-optic-path/ or subscribe to FBA’s Fiber Forward Weekly newsletter here to stay updated on FBA news and more.

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 policymakers 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.