With unemployment hovering at 9.0 percent (at the time of this writing), there is a dire need for jobs across the country. And though we wish it were stronger, there is fair growth projected for our industry, specifically in the wireless segment. As such, providers in certain areas are cautiously hiring. And they want skilled entry-level folks who can bring something to the table right away.

The question is: What are the exact skills providers today look for, and how can they find the right people who are eager to take their knowledge and skills to the next level?

For nearly 20 years, one organization has been successful in providing the answers to those questions. The organization provides the under-served and the unemployed real career opportunities through hands-on, practical training valued by industry. Individuals who have no prior knowledge of technology, telecommunications, or connectivity are engaged and brought to a level of understanding and confidence to succeed.

To appreciate the program, you must first realize that students who invest in this program are not typical students. They are those who, for whatever reason, have been excluded from real career opportunities or have decided to re-enter the workforce with new career goals. Interestingly, 12 percent of the program’s graduates are women, which is 2 times the national average for technical program completion.

The accomplishments of these unique students speak for themselves. Ninety-eight (98) percent of students complete the program and 90 percent are awarded with industry-recognized certification. (See endnotes for a list of certifications.)

The Model That Works for Telecom
The model of career development training used in this program is simple: It takes cutting-edge adult educational theory, aims it at a specific population, and infuses it with the skills sets needed by industry, develops recognized training, and launches the mix in local community colleges or other community institutions. The result is a timely, on-target, fully-trained, entry level workforce.

As a member of Continental Automated Building Association, CABA, C-Tech explores trends and tracks developments as part of the Smart Home Research Council. All C-Tech programs have been approved for content and applicability by several telecommunications companies and manufacturers including Leviton, Berk-Tek, Radial, and Siemon, and several other leaders in the connectivity industry.

Proof of the efficacy of this program was recently confirmed in Beaver County Community College, Washington, Pennsylvania. During the 23-day training program, students were totally immersed in telecommunications, data, and fiber optic systems. They also learned key system telephone, and assumed the programming roles of system administrators. Former flight attendants, steel workers, and others completed connectivity construction for copper and fiber optic systems and even spliced fiber optic cable.

Comments from the telephone systems course reflect a common thread in all C-Tech programs. “Information is presented in a way that most people can understand with a good bit of hands-on skill building,” according to one student, Carl.

Another student, Garrett, was even more enthusiastic: “Next to my wife and 2 kids this is the 4th best thing that has happened to me.”

Mark summed up the training like this: “Very informative and hands-on program that puts the information not only in your head but also in your hands.”

A total of 7 area broadband/telecommunications companies visited the classroom over the course of the program. During that time, they met with the students and discussed their career aspirations in skills. Anthony Haley at Tri-Wire Engineering Solutions affirms: “We examined the courseware and the students’ proficiencies and knew we had a fit.”

Even better than kind words were the real offers that came to students after showing their skills to a different visitor. After a local Comcast subcontractor evaluated a class in progress, he offered all of the 15 unemployed students in the class immediate employment.

The program, called C-Tech Broadband Academy, provides a track of 6 short-term programs. Each of the programs fosters the necessary skills desired by the telecom industry. Each program serves as either an exit point for employment or entry points for those wishing to increase their opportunities and career options. All C-Tech programs are at least 50 percent hands-on practice using the tools and devices used in the connectivity field.

The Broadband Academy consists of 6 courses:
1. Introduction to Telecommunication: Students learn the basics of Business and Smart Home technologies including networking, automation/green, security, and entertainment systems, while working with networking, wireless, and IR communications devices.

2. Introduction to Network Cabling Copper-Based System: Students learn the construction, installation, maintenance, testing, and troubleshooting of copper networking systems for both 4-pair UTP and coaxial cable.

3. Introduction to Network Cabling Fiber-Optic-Based Systems: Students learn fiber optic transmission theory and complete hands-on activities in the construction, termination, and testing of polished, as well as pre-polished connectors and splices.

4. Introduction to Telephone Systems and VoIP: Students learn to manage the installation, set up, and testing of digital telephone systems and program special telephone features as well as voice mails and automated attendants.

5. Introduction to Home Entertainment Audio/Visual Systems: Students master the skills to install, test, and troubleshoot whole-house audio systems and home theater audio and video systems using actual audio and video devices.

6. Introduction to Energy Management Systems: Students conduct an energy management survey and offer customers suggestions on devices and systems that save and monitor energy usage in homes or businesses.

The Broadband Academy program provides the skills and knowledge desired universally by industry professionals for entry-level employment into a broad base of telecommunications and data career fields. Graduates are familiar with commercial and residential cabling standards and industry best practices.

One employer, Anthony Haley at Tri-Wire Engineering Solutions, recently summed up his opinion of those students who completed the program: “So far, the C-Tech graduates we hired are working out great. The C-Tech coursework aided greatly in helping them in becoming top-notch telecommunications technicians.”

The C-Tech instructional model has been proven effective time and time again. It truly is a win-win situation for all involved.

About the Author
Bill McGurgan is the Director of Programs for C-Tech Associates, Inc. He has more than 22 years of experience in the development of technical training programs, and he is an expert in career development training. For more information, visit www.c-techtraining.com.

Certifications received: Telecommunications Technology, Network Cabling Specialist Copper and Fiber Optic Systems, Smart Home Professional Audio/Video Systems, Voice Communications Professional Telephone and VoIP Systems, Certificate of Completion for Connecting to Business.

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