How Do We Fill the 5G Workforce Gap?

Thousands of good jobs are going unfilled in this booming economy, as high school students are not aware of the many career choices open to them — including the wireless infrastructure industry — experts said during a workforce development panel at the Heritage Foundation on Monday.

The Wireless Infrastructure Association is the national sponsor of TIRAP. TIRAP is a joint venture of telecommunications companies, industry associations and the U.S. Department of Labor that develops DoL-credentialed apprenticeship programs available to qualified employers for career development of the telecommunications workforce. TIRAP can train employees for nine different occupations.

Twenty-four employers have signed up employees to participate in the program, said WIA VP Workforce Development Grant Seiffert. Employees take the 18-month course, which can involve, for example, telecom tower technician skills. The course teaches RF spectrum, safety, 5G technology and associated wireless infrastructure. The addition of other topics, like site acquisition, is being discussed. Continue Reading