JobsOhio and Partners to Build $9 Million Broadband and 5G Talent Pipeline

Ohio is implementing a Broadband and 5G Workforce Strategy to create a talent pipeline for local businesses, reported The Business Journal. As part of the effort, six 5G “hubs or nodes” will be placed around the state in accordance with JobsOhio’s regional map. 

“In today’s economy and workforce, all Ohioans need access to high-speed internet,” said Lt. Gov. Jon Husted. “Establishing these regional hubs will regionalize the work of our statewide Broadband and 5G Sector Partnership, empowering local communities to help build the broadband and 5G workforce Ohio needs.”  

The Broadband and 5G Workforce Strategy is made possible by $9 million in QUEST funding from the U.S. Department of Labor. “With these regional partners in place, we’ll be better able to raise awareness of in-demand broadband careers, establish more local training programs in broadband occupations and maximize state and federal funding to help pay for this training,” said Matt Damschroder, director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, which is administering the grant.

The following six hubs will be placed throughout the state to further the Broadband and 5G Sector Partnership:

1. Northeast – Youngstown State University; Cuyahoga Community College; Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Workforce Development Board; and Community Action Akron Summit.
2. Central – The Ohio State University; Columbus State Community College; Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio; and IMPACT Community Action.
3. Southeast – Ohio University; Hocking College; Area 14 Workforce Development Board; and Community Action Organization of Scioto County Inc.
4. Northwest – University of Findlay; Terra State Community College; Greater Ohio Workforce Board Inc.; and Great Lakes Community Action Partnership.
5. West – University of Dayton; Sinclair Community College; Greater Ohio Workforce Board Inc.; and Miami Valley Community Action Partnership.
6. Southwest – Miami University; Cincinnati State Technical & Community College; Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio; and Community Action Agency Cincinnati-Hamilton County.

According to Lindsey Ekstrand, director of Youngstown State University’s IT Workforce Accelerator, “Our collective goal is to promote and provide technical training and career readiness for individuals to thrive in fast growing occupations like cell tower, fiber optics, and broadband technicians, 5G engineers and support roles like sales and customer service.”