TIRAP on Pace to Achieve 1,000 Registered Apprentices

The Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP) announced the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA), which serves as the national sponsor for the program, is on pace to sign up a total of 1,000 registered apprentices through participating companies.

“This is exciting because the employers are not only utilizing the existing program but supporting the creation of new occupations and endorsements through the investment of their time, treasure and talent,” said TIRAP Board Chairman Scott Kisting, Executive Vice President, Proactive Telecommunications Solutions, LLC.

Kisting also said the program has developed two additional occupations to meet industry demand. TIRAP is a joint venture of telecommunications companies, industry associations and the DOL. The group develops DOL-credentialed apprenticeship programs available to qualified employers for career development of the telecommunications workforce, focused on ensuring quality, enabling efficiency, while ensuring a safe working environment.  

The new occupations are:

• Maintenance and Condition Assessment Lead
• Maintenance and Condition Assessment Foreman

“These new occupations and endorsements are especially exciting because for the first time in the registered apprenticeship process, the government has taken input directly from the industry to ensure consistency in the requirements for these new occupations and endorsements,” said Kisting. “TIRAP appreciates the tremendous amount of support and guidance provided by DOL as we navigate through this rapid expansion of the program and the development of worker career paths. We will continue to communicate the requirements for occupations and endorsements to enable the industry to achieve a uniform set of skills. A common set of skills allows for employers to secure training designed to assist in the development of a quality, safe and efficient workforce.”

TIRAP gathered industry experts from around the country for a two-day meeting at the headquarters of Vertical Limit, which is an employer in the program, to finalize the new positions as well as work on other endorsements and occupations including Rigger 1, Rigger 2, Fiber Optic Technician, and Site Vegetation and Environmental Technician.

Updates were also provided to TIRAP from officials with USA Telecom Insurance Services (USATIS), the national marketing partner for apprenticeship outreach for TIRAP. USATIS is engaged with 50 employers that are looking for education and support. USATIS also has worked with insurers to educate them on the importance of structure training in safety. This outreach has led to a 30 percent reduction in the minimums from one national insurance carrier and ongoing communications with additional insurers to help them see the benefits to employees, employers and the industry.

September 5, 2017