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Preparing for the Fiber Workforce Shortage: Your Key to BEAD Success
Tips for entering the uncertain BEAD era with a robust and capable workforce, despite the challenges.
The BEAD initiative is set to bridge the digital divide, bringing high-speed broadband to unserved and underserved communities. But there’s a catch! The ambitious plan to get every American connected to fiber by 2030 will likely lead to a significant workforce shortage in the telecom industry.
The BEAD program is expected to create 150,000+ jobs over the next 5+ years. That’s a lot of opportunity. But here’s the thing, the telecom workforce has been shrinking due to reasons like pressure to increase wages and a lot of industry vets retiring.
So, how do we ensure we have enough skilled workers to make this vision a reality?
Here are some practical strategies for companies of all sizes to prepare for the skilled workforce needed to meet the demands of the BEAD initiative.
Launch Apprenticeships/Internships
Hands-on experience is invaluable. We’ve all heard the saying, "Teach a person to fish..." Well, in this case, teaching someone to install fiber can make a huge difference and turn into a great career path.
You not only attract fresh talent but also give them practical knowledge that classroom training just can’t provide. Plus, you’re helping to build a future-ready workforce from the ground up.
…the telecom workforce has been shrinking due to reasons like pressure to increase wages and a lot of industry vets retiring.
Connect With Local Communities About Job Opportunities
Don’t underestimate the power of community. By tapping into local networks, community centers, schools and local social media groups, you can spread the word about job opportunities in broadband deployment.
You can also encourage your local colleges to add a fiber optics training program, helping to build a pipeline of skilled workers. At TekCom Resources, our leadership team has heard from industry events like Fiber Connect and others that some companies are engaging high school students early to try to capture their attention with an exciting career in telecom. When communities feel invested, they’re more likely to support and sustain the broadband infrastructure long-term, creating a win-win situation for everyone involved.
By taking proactive steps to address the potential workforce shortage, we can ensure the BEAD initiative achieves its goal of connecting every American to high-speed broadband by 2030. This means fostering partnerships with educational institutions, investing in specialized training programs and leveraging the expertise of telecom staffing firms.
Together, we can build a resilient and skilled workforce that not only meets the current demand but also paves the way for future innovations in broadband technology that will strengthen our digital infrastructure for generations to come.
Partner With Telecom Staffing Experts
Finding a company that specializes in telecom and understands how to bridge the gap between talent demand and supply can make all the difference in your company’s success. When you need specialized talent fast, the right staffing partner is your secret weapon. That’s where TekCom Resources comes in.
As a woman-owned, full-service national telecom recruiting firm, we’re a go-to resource for telecom staffing solutions. Partnering with TekCom Resources means you’ll have access to top-notch telecom professionals who can hit the ground running, keeping your BEAD projects on track.
Ashlee Stoeppler | Senior Telecom Recruiter and Marketing Manager, TekCom Resources
Ashlee Stoeppler is a Senior Telecom Recruiter and Marketing Manager at TekCom Resources. She has more than 9 years’ experience in telecom recruiting, talent attraction and marketing. For more information, email [email protected] or visit www.tekcomresources.com. Follow TekCom Resources on LinkedIn where all new openings, industry insights, job seeker tips and more are posted. Also, follow Ashlee on LinkedIn.