BROADBAND NATION EXPO, WASHINGTON, DC – Dave Stehlin, CEO of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), opened up his keynote speech at the Broadband Nation Expo with a key focus: while the industry scrambles to make the most with the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding, one of the clearest hurdles to overcome is the need for for a skilled workforce.
From fiber technician work to construction, over 200,000 jobs are estimated to be needed to realize BEAD's ambitions. Many of the positions are physical and technical but do not require four year degrees. Furthermore, customer-service roles are also going to be in high demand to help businesses and households troubleshoot their connectivity issues.
"Everybody uses broadband; not so many people understand what makes it work," said Stehlin — which makes for a difficult solve in getting more people to join an industry they know nothing about.
But Stehlin, who has now been working in broadband for 40 years, emphasized that these openings present more possibility than a simple summer job.
"I'm a former military guy, and it's about the mission," he said. "Don't think this is just a job. Don't think this is just something you do from nine to five, and it's something that is gonna go away." Like traditional trades — electrical work or welding — these professions will be around and in-demand for decades to come.
Alongside its financial opportunities, these jobs are a critical part in the mission to help the entire country — particularly rural and underserved communities — connect to internet services.
"Broadband is not just downloading funny videos," said Stehlin. Especially since the pandemic, the internet has become the means of accessing health care, education, job opportunities and more. "It's helping connecting people around the country and around the world."
"This is more than just a job... it really is a mission. Broadband Nation is something that's critical to everybody."
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