A new Fiber Optic Technician program is set to begin early this fall at the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana. In partnership with the Arkansas Fiber Academy, the Fiber Optic Technician program provides students with an opportunity to embark on a meaningful and rewarding career in the fiber broadband industry. Classroom and hands-on field experiences will equip students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities employers look for when hiring fiber optic technicians to install, maintain, and troubleshoot fiber broadband to homes and businesses. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible for the Fiber Broadband Association OpTIC Path 3-year certification.

The program will consist of nine weeks of evening classes, with new classes beginning approximately every twelve weeks. It is free to eligible students, and a grant from the Office of Skills Development will underwrite the cost. "UAHT is excited to partner with the Office of Skills Development and the Arkansas Fiber Academy to offer the Fiber Optic Technician program on the Hope campus free of charge,” said Laura Clark, Vice Chancellor for Academics. “This initiative demonstrates our commitment to providing students with in-demand skills for the digital age while removing financial barriers to education. By training the next generation of fiber optic technicians, we're not only shaping careers but also contributing to a more connected future for our region."

Telecommunications technicians are in demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a faster-than-average growth rate for telecommunications line installer and repairer jobs over the next ten years. The mean wage for Arkansas workers in the field is $30.11 per hour. According to the Arkansas Fiber Academy, high-speed internet is no longer a luxury but a necessary way of life. As a rural state, it is even more critical that Arkansans have the same opportunities as citizens in urban areas. Now that we are making strides to bring broadband to every corner of the state, we need workers to build and implement the infrastructure.

For more information or to be added to the interest list, contact Akili Moses Israel at 870-722-8568 or [email protected]. To stay informed about start dates, visit https://www.uaht.edu/fiber-optic-technician.php.

Pictured: Keegan Johnson, Fiber Optic Technician for local employer Hope Water & Light.