FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn at yesterday’s WIA Wireless Infrastructure Show expressed her hopes “that our workforce has the skills necessary for the jobs of today, the opportunities to successfully compete for the jobs of tomorrow, and more clearly reflects the great diversity of our country.” She said, “Broadband is where we must all start. To have an educated, competitive workforce in this century and beyond, we must ensure that everyone in our communities truly has access to broadband service, for all of the infrastructure builds in the world will not enable access if the service is not affordable.”
Clyburn expressed support for Lifeline, the Rural Healthcare Fund, and E-rate, programs she said “bring affordable connectivity to those in our communities who most need it.”
“Now I recognize that I am in mixed company here but I would be remiss if I did not say that affordable access to an open internet is paramount,” Clyburn said, referring to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking just passed by the majority at the Commission. “An open internet is good for consumers, it is good for business, and it is good for our country. There should not be internet fast lanes reserved for the few who are willing and able to pay, nor preferences shown to those with business relationships with a provider,” she said.
Clyburn recognized WIA’s contributions to expanded industry hiring with their just-announced Telecommunications Education Center, or TEC, next month. This new learning program will offer courses that reflect the needs of the wireless industry. Education and training in areas such as Wireless Fundamentals, DAS, Small Cells, WiFi, Macro Cellular Infrastructure as well as 5G and emerging trends will be offered; TEC will also support apprenticeships in the industry.
The lone Democratic Commissioner highlighted TechHire, a national network of communities, educators, and employers that aims to expand technology sectors by building talent pipelines. The Department of Labor awarded $150 million in grants for partnerships that train 17-29 years olds and help those in groups facing barriers to employment, including veterans, those with disabilities, and people with criminal records. TechHire helps employers fill positions by hiring those who have the ability to do the work but who are overlooked by typical hiring practices, she said.
“Successful companies recognize that it requires a prolonged, systematic process to have a more diverse company and workforce,” said Clyburn. She applauded WIA for “its documented and sustained commitment to promoting, encouraging, and supporting supplier diversity” as she helped kick-off WIA’s 2017 Supplier Diversity Summit.
May 25, 2017
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