Världsomspännande partners

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Higher Education Workforce Development 

Community colleges and technical schools play a crucial role in delivering workforce development education programs to upskill those either unemployed or underemployed. Light Brigade has worked with numerous community colleges, technical schools, and non-profit agencies to implement workforce development programs to train and connect people with opportunities in high-demand fields and roles.

One of those perennial high demand fields is that of a fiber optic technician and there is no reduction in demand forecasted. While the highest demand for these technicians resides in fiber to the home broadband and the explosive growth of data centers, other opportunities are in demand for applications using fiber optics such as utilities, Co-Ops, cellular, undersea, mining, oil and gas, sensing, and in-building applications. The core skills learned in a fiber optic technician program apply across all these areas and are easily transferrable as demand shifts from one area to another. 

Market Research Future estimates that between 2022 and 2030, the fiber optics market value will nearly double to $13.7 with no slowing in sight. According to the Fiber Broadband Association, it is estimated that around 205,000 additional technicians will be required through 2029 to support BEAD builds. Other estimates forecast up to 850,000 new technicians to be required throughout the greater industry. The Government Accountability Office estimates approximately 34,000 this year alone for broadband. 

Light Brigade, the leader in fiber optic skills training, has developed a workforce development/education focus for licensing turn-key education curriculum and train-the trainer programs to address this shortage. Our current commercially available business to business courses have been retailored for workforce development programs. Our current workforce development courses include: (Foundational) Fiber Optics 1-2-3, Broadband Fiber Optics Technician Level1, Fiber Optics for Data Centers, and Air Blown Fiber for Installers & Technicians, as well as (Intermediate) Advanced Outside Plant Technician, Broadband Fiber Optics Technician Level 2, and OTDR and Splicing Deep Dive. These courses are crucial to reskilling and upskilling efforts as well as include industry credentialing and certification, a primary requirement for workforce development programs.

Light Brigade has partnered with leading industry bodies such as the Electronics Technician Association International (ETA) to provide certification for our industry leading training courses.

Workforce Development courses offer independent, third-party industry organization, fiber optic certifications demonstrating progressive competency in technical skills. Professional certifications confirm compliance to industry standards, enhance credibility, reduce turnover, and make learners more marketable in the competitive market. All Light Brigade workforce development programs prepare the candidate to earn Electronics Technician Association International (ETA-i) credentials related to their learning path to not only make them more marketable, but to prove that they possess the theoretical and hands-on skills required to hit the ground running.

Additionally, we have partnered with Credly to provide accredited learners an easy way to share their fiber optic credentials. A Light Brigade digital badge shows the world learners have earned the knowledge and skills from the leader in fiber optic hands-on skills training. With over 35 years of fiber optic training history, preparing learners to become successful fiber optic technicians, Light Brigade has earned the name recognition and respect of the industry as the authority in fiber optic training.

Finally, certain Light Brigade courses also offer industry recognized manufacturer certifications for skills learned on specific branded equipment. Once such example are the three levels of Sumitomo Electric Lightwave fusion splicing skills certification.

Our turn-key approach ensures that institutions receive the entire package including theory content, supporting collateral, hands-on equipment, thorough training and setup, as well as ongoing support and curriculum updates. Our thorough train the trainer program ensures that full or part time educators, whether having previous experience in fiber optics or not, gain the proper knowledge and confidence to deliver the curriculum to ensure a successful learning experience for participants in the program. Along with that instructor training comes perpetual support from our seasoned Light Brigade instructor staff to ensure that educators are never without a resource for guidance, clarification, or even with a question that cannot be answered. 

Light Brigade is currently developing a program to connect employers with learners that have completed the fiber optic technician workforce development program at community colleges and technical schools. These employers know the value of having workers trained by Light Brigade and many have been long-time customers of Light Brigade on the business-to-business side to ensure that all their staff is properly trained to deliver world class installation and maintenance of fiber optic networks. Having a network like this not only helps them fill their demand for technicians, but it will also assist the recently credentialed learner find opportunities that they might not otherwise find or feel qualified enough to apply. 

Since 1987, Light Brigade, the leader in fiber optics skills training, has trained nearly 100,000 students in courses ranging from basic fiber optic theory and practices to comprehensive design and installation courses. We are not just theory based. Our hands-on labs reflect real-world tasks, providing the practical training needed to improve operational efficiencies by reducing costly errors. We know fiber optics inside and out. It’s all we do. Our curriculum is always up to date and vendor agnostic to ensure neutrality in the education delivered. As a licensee, you will always receive the course material updates as we release them. We have also determined from experience the best quality products to be used for the hands-on exercises to ensure the best learner experience, as well as to ensure reliability and uptime of equipment to minimize disruptions. ​