NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association, is advocating for state governments to invest in more communications workforce programs. The action occurs as the association supports congressional efforts to pass legislation that would provide unprecedented funding for broadband and communications infrastructure projects in rural, unserved, and underserved areas.
“The pending infrastructure legislation would greatly accelerate the deployment of broadband across the U.S. and enhance America’s economic competitiveness, homeland security, and vital communications capabilities,” NATE said in a letter to the National Governors Association and National Conference of State Legislatures that was shared with Inside Towers. But the association warned of a worker shortage “that could jeopardize these national goals.”
“Without critical investment in communications infrastructure training programs, we may not have enough workers to carry out the mandates in federal and state broadband programs,” wrote Todd Schlekeway, NATE President/CEO; Jim Goldwater, NATE Legislative Affairs and Todd Washam, NATE Government Relations.
“As broadband funding flows down to the states, it is imperative that the industry has enough workers to fully deploy internet and communications programs to communities in need,” Washam told Inside Towers. “By working with NATE to build more education programs, policy makers can ensure that the industry has access to safe and productive technicians who meet the standards and expectations of NATE members,” Washam added.
NATE members estimate that they need more than 14,000 technicians to complete the work before them today. With additional investments for broadband expansion, the need for technicians will be even greater, according to the association executives.
The association estimates that there are only about 100 job-ready tower technicians graduating from public technical institutes and community colleges every year. To supplement the lack of job-ready workers deploying from public education programs, many NATE member companies offer on-the-job training or apprenticeship programs, and there are approximately 30 private training companies that the association supports.
NATE advocates providing additional resources for public two-year comprehensive community and technical colleges to implement telecommunications technician training programs and enhance a job-ready workforce to deploy broadband to communities in need.
NATE urges governors and state legislators to continue working together to build robust communications infrastructure training programs in their states. NATE says its developed curricula that can be implemented in technical institutes and community colleges, “providing the opportunity to build high caliber training programs that graduate safe and productive technicians who meet the standards and expectations of telecommunications companies.”
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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