In the previous decade, broadband made major leaps. More Americans are connected to faster speeds now than ever before, and more smart devices are making daily life easier. Now, politicians and pundits are calling for high-speed internet in more homes to alleviate major socioeconomic pain points, open up greater access to telemedicine and remote work opportunities and close the digital divide. With an impending wave of massive government funding and the largest private investment cycle ever, the future of broadband is set to transform our world.
But, it can’t happen without our help. To realize broadband’s full potential, we should think bigger than our current home or business experiences or even what we imagine they might become. The broadband deployment we see now will create a foundation for the majority of the communication we'll experience for the rest of our lives, but it will take a broad range of communications workers capable of not only designing but also building and then maintaining these networks. The future of broadband is bright, but only if we continue training the right people to keep the fire burning.
Obstacles are holding us back
For broadband to have a future, it needs workers capable of carrying on the decades of development and network building required to get us there. Today’s telecommunications workforce is limited in gender and racial diversity, and workers are often schooled in the art of copper but have limited experience in the fiber world. With too few younger employees experienced enough to fill their shoes, an aging telecommunications workforce could jeopardize the sector’s future. To attract new people into the workforce and continue drawing in talent as the industry grows, broadband needs teams of people excited enough about that industry growth and innovation to keep meeting future demands.
Of course, that task has recently become much easier said than done. Decades of “degree inflation” have built a culture where businesses value four-year degrees over skills and experience. While a high school education could still get you access to about 70% of “good jobs” in the 1970s, by 2031, economists estimate that only 30% of the 171 million jobs will be open to workers without college degrees. Degree bias is causing many to overlook people who might have higher levels of achievement in other valuable areas that would make quality workers. But with labor demands high and workers harder to come by, it might be time to consider alternatives. Companies willing to change this perspective can strategize new and creative recruitment solutions to build the team broadband needs to grow.
A mindset shift can overcome them
The first step to building better broadband is attracting skilled craftspeople. From radio, cellular and tower equipment installation and repair to telecommunications equipment and line installation and repair, the industry requires different duties and skillsets, as well as an understanding and appreciation for developing each craft. To fill this dance card of energetic craftspeople eager to drive the future of broadband, we may have to reassess our belief in a college education as the gold standard for employability.
Many companies are already realizing the importance of training and experience over a college education. In 2019, Amazon launched a program to educate and train its degreeless workers for management positions. Since 2017, Google has trained 7 million people through a free professional certificate program to access higher-paying technology jobs. In the same way, broadband carriers can fund programs or foster partnerships with training providers to upskill experienced workers with certifications in new technologies. One exciting program is the New York State Wireless Association, which provides two- and four-year degree scholarships in a broadband-related field.
We could also train new hires and get them excited to innovate the future of broadband. According to a Federal Communications Committee report on broadband infrastructure deployment, the industry environment needs to demonstrate to potential workers that employment provides not only competitive wages and benefits but viable and exciting career options. By offering training and a path for career growth, companies can draw in more talent, save money through employee retention and drive broadband innovation.
Change starts now
To prepare for the future that broadband can bring, companies could start changing the way they think about employees now. Good living wages and training programs can start by attracting employees, but industry leaders can also work on developing products today that can be deployed without the need for excessive tinkering. If you want people to be satisfied with buying a lawnmower, you could provide them with an easy way to change the oil, because not every homeowner will have the skill set to do it alone. The same goes for workers in these new communications jobs: The products we build can allow them to do their job quickly and effectively and help them be more satisfied.
We live in a global world where, thanks to broadband, conflicts have risen to a level of visibility like never before. At the same time, also thanks to broadband, we now have the widespread means of communication to address those conflicts. Once we establish networks in the U.S., we can become a world leader in establishing connectivity and broadband communications vehicles around the world. With more people tapping into the work, health and educational opportunities of high-speed broadband, we can equalize access to information, create new economic growth and spur innovation.
In addition to better pay, training and products that encourage better work, companies can also start now by building excitement among employees. Broadband is going to be the foundation for faster future networks, but only if we have people motivated to get us there, so we should foster a culture that understands the significant importance of the work they do. By branding broadband employment as honorable work with an attractive wage, training and career advancement opportunities and a strong growth trajectory, we can bring in the workers who will ensure that vision has a place in our future.
