Sno-Isle TECH sparks future with high school certification

The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) announced that Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center in Everett, Washington, is the first high school to offer FBA’s Optical Telecom Installer Certification (OpTIC Path) programme. 

With the aim of empowering students with vital skills necessary for successful careers in the field, this initiative tackles the workforce gap in the North American fiber broadband industry.

Sno-Isle TECH, a public school providing technical training for high school juniors and seniors, will integrate the OpTIC Path programme into its Electronics Engineering Technology curriculum.

 The programme offers hands-on training and certification, preparing students for high-demand careers in fiber broadband as Washington state anticipates utilising $1.2 billion from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Programme.

Todd Jackson, Director of Workforce Development at the Fiber Broadband Association, highlighted the importance of involving high schools in the initiative:

“I am always excited to see that another institution will offer the OpTIC Path program, but adding a high school to our ecosystem of training institutions is a crucial step in the right direction. As the fiber workforce continues to age and many technicians near retirement, it’s important to ensure that the next generation of fiber technicians are qualified, ready, and excited to step up.

“Graduates of this course will be welcomed into a workforce that will remain high in demand for decades to come, offering a well-paid, long-term career, especially in the coming years as BEAD funding begins to rollout.”

The FBA is actively engaging with 40 of its targeted 56 states and territories to roll out the OpTIC Path programme, involving 44 service providers and 70 community colleges and training institutions. 

To ensure a consistent supply of qualified technicians, the programme strives to bridge the gap between industry's growing needs and workforce training by incorporating OpTIC Path into workforce development strategies.

The programme will commence on 28 May 2024, with a kick-off celebration at Sno-Isle TECH. Attendees will include FBA workforce development leaders, Whidbey Telecom directors and staff, and Washington state officials such as Senator Maria Cantwell, Governor Jay Inslee, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen, and U.S. Representative Suzan DelBene.

Whidbey Telecom, a local internet service provider, will assist with the instruction, providing students with real-world insights and a smooth transition from classroom to fieldwork. 

George Henny, Co-CEO of Whidbey Telecom, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating:

“We are excited to partner with the FBA and Sno-Isle TECH to bring fiber optic training and education to the Pacific Northwest. At Whidbey Telecom, we are focused on the future of our connected community, and this education path is a great opportunity for our company to give back and for all of us to grow forward.”

Wes Allen, Director of Sno-Isle TECH, emphasised the benefits for students, saying:

“We are thrilled to partner with FBA to bring another element of electronics engineering technology to life for our students. Learning these crucial skills to have a successful career as a qualified fiber technician will set them on the pathway to family-wage careers, with many of them being able to serve their own communities by ensuring residents can connect to remote work, telehealth, education, and entertainment opportunities.”