Obstacles to Fiber Optic Workforce Training and Certification

In the national discussion about the need for more skilled fiber techs, many of those making the decisions are overlooking the subject of training/education for current and future fiber techs. Those people are part of our industry’s problems. Here are some comments I’ve heard. Do they sound familiar?

“When I talk to individuals in the fiber industry, they all tell me the same thing. They don't need splicing training; it gets taught in the field and there's really nothing to it!”

That quote was from a state broadband office person talking to a fiber instructor who was inquiring about providing workforce training programs for the projects funded by the BEAD money they were expecting. People who are unfamiliar with fiber optics don’t seem to think there is any skill required to be a fiber tech. It’s not the first state person we’ve heard saying something like this. The same state people were excited, however, about starting training for bucket truck operators—big trucks are much more fun!

There is a second problem here, too. “Splicers” are not fiber techs. Splicing is only part of the job of a fiber tech, but that old name from the copper days persists. Today’s fiber tech is expected to be familiar with installing cable (and not just “pulling” cable but using other installation methods like blowing cable), preparing cable for splicing, then splicing, neatly storing fibers in closures, handling the storage of closures and service loops, testing cables, and creating documentation. People unfamiliar with the actual jobs of fiber techs generally underestimate what the tech needs to learn.

“I can’t afford to send new hires to training first, I need them in the field now. They can learn from the experienced guys by on-the-job training (OJT).”

Well, there is a bit more truth to that. Many contractors do need installers right now. But just how productive will those workers be, and how much will it reduce the productivity of the experienced workers trying to train them in the field or fixing their mistakes? How long will it take them to learn all the aspects of the job described above? How many costly mistakes will they make as they learn? How much more productive would they be with proper training?

“I won’t send these guys for training and certification. They will just put that on their resumes to find jobs at higher pay.”

We won’t assume they are being underpaid now, we’ll assume the boss doesn’t understand how training affects productivity, engenders employee loyalty, or perhaps even qualifies them for better pay based on their improved work performance. Maybe they don’t realize they can write a contract that requires the worker pay back part of the cost of training and certification if they leave before a specified time period. 

“My guys don’t need certification. They have been working in the field for years and know this job backwards and forwards.”

No doubt they have the skills to do their jobs in the field, but certification isn’t just about skills. Certification is first and foremost proof that an individual also has knowledge of the specific subject as well as the skills, and that knowledge is up to date. Certification is required by many jobs in many professions, often more important than college degrees. Some large employers, even those that don’t require certifications, reward employees who study and obtain new certifications. Many of the government-funded infrastructure projects, like BEAD, specifically require certified installers.