Learning Alliance Tackles Telecom Job Shortage Through Education

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Learning Alliance Student Graduation Group PictureIt’s no secret the telecom industry faces a challenge when it comes to the workforce. Last year, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr told Inside Towers at least 20,000 more skilled workers are needed to complete 5G deployment. This January at the World Economic Forum, President Trump echoed that sentiment, highlighting the need to train workers in, “critical industries like artificial intelligence, quantum computing and 5G.”

Learning Alliance Corporation is a leader in the trade education space, providing training and certifications for individuals, companies and colleges. Their goal is to tackle the industry shortage head-on with hands-on courses including, “Wireless Tower Technician Fundamentals” and “Wireless Fiber Optic Technician.” The average graduation class consists of 15 individuals and they’re graduating around 30 students a month with 130 hours of TIRAP Pre-Apprenticeship Competency.

The Learning Alliance differentiates itself by heavily investing in infrastructure to emphasize real-life situations, above and beyond classroom lecture. They believe first tower climbs should be during training, not during first days on the job.Learning Alliance Student Feeling Comfortable in Harness

In developing their curriculum, Learning Alliance works closely with partner companies and the “boots on the ground” like foremen, to pinpoint training necessities and then replicate it in the coursework for impact. “We took a lot of input from our employer partners to get us where we are today,” said Learning Alliance Chief Communications Officer Fred Arnold.

Learning Alliance’s decades of work is receiving industry accolades. They were recently honored as the first partner in the Wireless Infrastructure Association’s (WIA) Telecommunications Education Center’s Authorized Training Partner (ATP) program.  “Being an ATP means being at the forefront of 5G. Our main goal is training and educating the next generation wireless workforce, so it makes sense to take on 5G as well,” said Learning Alliance CEO Cesar Ruiz. “Being an ATP will help provide the industry with trained professionals who are ready to take on these new 5G builds.”

The company has a strong focus on veteran recruiting, seeking both those who are entering the workforce or are currently stuck in a lower-paying hospitality field to one that earns a higher annual income in telecom. “That tends to be a really strong demographic that we recruit in terms of the mentality that’s required on top of a tower. When they go out in the field, they listen really well and follow the chain of command well. So, that’s why we focus on vets at the Learning Alliance,” Arnold explained. His employer partners agree that veteran employees tend to have better career longevity than the civilian population, and it’s a rewarding part of the job.

Tampa, Florida-based Learning Alliance was founded in 2002. For more information on how this company is leading the way in the telecom industry job shortage through education or to become a partner company, go to www.mylearningalliance.com.

 

 

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