News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Cookeville Higher Education Campus adding fiber optic certifications to its courses next year.
Three programs being offered to become fiber optic technicians, specialists or maintenance. Economic Development Vice President Nicholas Bishop said the first cohort starts in January.
“Demand in the industry is drastically increasing across the Upper Cumberland and middle Tennessee,” Bishop said. “A lot of the infrastructure whether it be residential or commercial is making the switch to fiber.”
Bishop said the training has been offered in Gallatin but not at Vol State locations in the Upper Cumberland region. Bishop said campus officials decided to add the courses seeing the large push by legislators to expand broadband in the state.
“Everybody is needing people that can do anything from the installation to support and troubleshooting,” Bishop said. “There are a lot of different occupations and skill sets. The demand is growing, and we are hoping to fill that demand and create awesome career opportunities.”
Bishop said the goal is to create a pipeline of local workers to meet the infrastructure needs. Bishop said about 15 students will participate in each training. Bishop said only a few spots remain.
“We want to make more opportunity for the Upper Cumberland,” Bishop said. “You don’t necessarily need a college degree to go do this type of training. It was just time to make it happen.”
More classes are expected to be available come June of next year.
