Group will work to address the approximately 33,250 broadband and 5G jobs needed for deployment in Ohio
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted, who serves as Director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation (OWT), today announced the 26 entities that will make up Ohio’s Broadband and 5G Sector Partnership. The Ohio State University (OSU) was awarded $3 million in January to host the Sector Partnership and selected the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) as the industry intermediary to lead the effort. This announcement is part of a larger effort by OWT and BroadbandOhio to grow the workforce needed to expand broadband access and 5G in Ohio.
The “Strengthening Ohio’s Broadband & 5G Workforce” Strategy, released in September 2021, calls for a Broadband and 5G Sector Partnership that will lead the implementation of the goals outlined in the strategy. The Sector Partnership will work to design and distribute curriculum and training programs across the state and promote career awareness to supply the industry with a skilled workforce. These education and training programs will directly support filling the estimated 1,250 jobs needed to expand broadband access and the 32,000 jobs needed to deploy 5G across Ohio.
“These industry, education, and government leaders were selected for their ability to help implement Ohio’s broadband and 5G workforce strategy,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “Their expertise will ensure that Ohio’s Broadband and 5G Sector Partnership is efficient and responsive to industry workforce needs across the state as we continue to invest in broadband expansion for Ohioans.”
Members of the Sector Partnership will provide advice and recommendations based on their knowledge areas to Ohio State and WIA as they implement Ohio’s broadband and 5G workforce strategy. The first official meeting of the Sector Partnership will be held on Thursday, June 9th at Ohio State in Columbus.
Sector Partnership Members:
|
Industry |
Education |
Government |
| Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) | Association of Independent Colleges & Universities of Ohio (AICUO) | BroadbandOhio |
| Horizon | Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExcelinEd) | Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation (OWT) |
| NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association | Inter-University Council (IUC) | JobsOhio |
| NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association | Ohio ACTE | Ohio Department of Education (ODE) |
| Ohio Cable Telecom Association (OCTA) | Ohio Association of Career Technical Superintendents (OACTS) | Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) |
| Ohio Telecom Association (OTA) | Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC) | Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) |
| Ohio Wireless Association (OWA) | Ohio Excels | Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC) |
| Power & Communication Contractors Association (PCCA) | The Management Council (MCOECN) | Ohio Department of Veteran Services (ODVS) |
| Team Fishel | ||
| TRC Companies, Inc. | ||
| USTelecom |
“Engagement with partners is key to addressing systemic gaps in meeting the workforce needs in this sector,” said Anish Arora, chair and professor of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Ohio State. “We envision an active, inclusive and sustained interaction with the sector partners, as well as the member companies and institutions they represent, through quarterly meetings and working groups in our connectivity center.”
“We look forward to supporting the mission of Ohio’s Broadband and 5G Sector Partnership through our expertise and collaboration with The Ohio State University as their selected Industry Intermediary,” said WIA CTO Dr. Rikin Thakker. “WIA welcomes these 26 partners from the industry, education, and government sectors. Their expert advice and recommendations will help us create effective, innovative, and pragmatic curriculum and training solutions. We’re excited to help make this critical initiative a success, and I’m grateful for Lt. Governor Husted’s continued leadership and strong vision for building a strong workforce in Ohio.”
Today’s announcement represents more progress related to broadband expansion that builds upon efforts by Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted to expand and enhance high-speed internet access for businesses and families throughout Ohio.
The “Strengthening Ohio’s Broadband & 5G Workforce” Strategy can be found on the BroadbandOhio website.
