FBA and NCTI Survey Highlights Workforce Development Opportunities in Fiber Broadband

A recent press release from the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) discusses findings from the association and NTIA’s workforce preparedness survey, published in a paper titled Employer Workforce Preparedness in the Fiber Broadband Industry: How Build-Ready are We? The research shows the industry’s steps toward building a skilled fiber workforce and identifies issues some respondents are facing.

The survey queried broadband providers, contractors, and major companies throughout the industry. Results show that although many organizations have formal training and career development programs, over half the respondents feel that their current workforce lacks adequate knowledge and skills to meet current and future fiber demands. Time constraints and the push from training to productivity are some of the top challenges.

Key survey takeaways include:

• Over 50% of respondents are actively implementing structured training, though measuring effectiveness and productivity gains remains difficult.
• Companies are shifting from primarily on-the-job training to more comprehensive training models that improve safety, quality, and efficiency.
• Career pathways and credentialing programs are emerging as essential tools for attracting younger workers and retaining talent.

“The survey results highlight the positive momentum within the industry to revamp recruitment strategies and make telecom careers more appealing to the next generation,” said Stacey Slaughter, CEO at NCTI.

“The fiber broadband industry is poised to support a proactive, coordinated response to workforce development,” added Deborah Kish, Vice President of Research and Workforce Development at the Fiber Broadband Association. She continued, “Recommendations include the adoption of standardized, scalable training programs, investing in existing and future employees, and stronger partnerships between industry stakeholders, educational institutions, and government entities.”

The FBA and NCTI will host a webinar on October 14th to provide industry professionals the opportunity to look at the findings in further detail and go over workforce development strategies. Webinar registration can be found here.