Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology - Workforce & Economic Development department

PROJECT PURPOSE

The purpose of the proposed program is to increase the talent pipeline of fiber technicians in Oklahoma?s low-income, rural communities, through the development and implementation of short-term, customized advanced fiber technician training courses. The proposed Advanced Fiber Technician Training Program will build upon the current fiber training programs that OSUIT-WFED developed for the Cherokee Nation and Muscogee Nation. The program will further enhance the skill sets of Fiber Technicians through the implementation of four advanced fiber courses that Oklahoma industry and subject matter experts have indicated a need for: 1) Fiber Optics 1-2-3; 2) Certified Fiber to the Home Professional; 3) OTDR & Testing Deep Dive Workshop & Emergency Restoration; and 4) Network Planning for Utilities.

EVIDENCE

Leaders in the identified region continually receive feedback that companies do not want to invest due to the lack of a qualified and skilled workforce. Low-income, rural communities face numerous challenges, including the lack of an available skilled, qualified workforce and access to broadband services. This results in long-term negative effects on the local labor market and poor business investment. Companies are hesitant to invest in economically distressed areas as these areas suggest a shrinking tax base, which leads to cuts in key services such as: law enforcement, lower-quality schools, and poorly maintained infrastructures (Greenstone and Looney, 2011).

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

The program will directly impact underrepresented groups in low-income, rural communities and will focus on a six-county region that has been identified as low-income and rural and experiencing negative impacts of distress. The proposed program will develop the skills and expertise of local workforce, including the upskilling of incumbent workers, to meet employer needs and prepare workers for high-wage jobs within the telecommunications (broadband) industry cluster.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

OSUIT-WFED will perform instructor and course evaluations as well as follow-up with all students to determine if they obtained employment or obtained a wage increase upon course completion. All data will be tracked.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma