ASHLAND – More than a dozen educators from across Ohio visited Ashland University to learn about 5G broadband technology and its impact on various industries as they took part in a Telecommunications Boot Camp for Educators, presented by staff members in AU’s Office of Workforce Training and Development.
The week-long program in late June was funded through a state grant from the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation.
The ultimate goal of the boot camp was to reach students and provide career awareness about the growing opportunities in the telecom industry.
Participants, ranging from guidance counselors and teachers at public school districts to representatives from career tech schools, learned about the thriving field so they could bring knowledge and resources back to their classrooms.
“Students can’t know unless their teachers share it, so we are teaching the teachers about these careers and opening them up to all the possibilities of careers in broadband,” explained Stephanie Donofe Meeks, director of workforce training and development at AU.
“No matter what their content area is, all teachers are career teachers, so this is about broadening awareness.”
The deployment of 5G — fifth generation cellular technology — will have a ripple effect across employment sectors. It is improving job prospects for professionals in healthcare, manufacturing, transportation and logistics, communications, retail, entertainment and more.
Simply stated, “5G and broadband technology is in every single industry,” according to Michelle D’Ambrosio, manager of the Telego Center for Educational Improvement at AU.
The boot camp consisted of two days of information and interactive workshops, including a popular virtual reality demonstration from Charles Piscitello, a senior instructional designer and online quality assurance manager, and an overview of AU’s impressive Esports facility from coach Alec Muleller, and industry tours.
Then, there were three virtual days, in which educators collaborated with one another to produce a presentation.
In turn, participants received three professional learning graduate credits from AU and have the opportunity to earn an industry-recognized microcredential in 5G from the Wireless Infrastructure Association.
But, the priority for all involved was to help students, especially those who are unsure what type of career to pursue.
“The main focus with the boot camp was just getting them … to learn a bit more about 5G, telecommunications, the actual infrastructure … but (we) wanted it to be relatable,” said Joe Kacsandi, the program manager of workforce development at AU and instructor of the boot camp course.
“When they leave here, they’re going to take a lot of this information that’s relatable to kids and say we learned about this really cool stuff. And, there are so many jobs out there that we didn’t know about that went with this telecom industry, whether you’re an art person or thinking about being an engineer.”
It was described as an eye-opening experience by several of the attendees and they are excited to pass on the knowledge gained to their students.
“I thought it was extremely interesting,” remarked Chris Brabec, who works for Lorain County JVS, one of the largest career tech schools in the state.
“We have lots of different job opportunities that would definitely fit into this.”
Donovan Belizaire, a school counselor at Elyria City Schools, thought the bootcamp was “really exciting” and noted the importance for students to embrace new technology and the value in promoting additional educational paths like certificate programs.
“There’s obviously a transition, in terms of us moving forward as a society and using (technology) at high speeds to be able to do so many different things (from) VR simulations to … automated inventory systems in supermarkets,” Belizaire said.
“For me as a school counselor, there’s a lot of kids (who) need to learn to have continuing education and being able to get these certificates. So, this bootcamp is going to allow me to take back that information to my school and share it with my school counselors and talk to the students about the different options (in telecommunications) that they have.
“I’m really impressed with Ashland University’s (initiative),” he said.
Having alternative career paths in a world with ever-changing technology will be vital for the wireless generation, and AU’s Office of Workforce Training and Development is pleased to offer programming, such as the annual Telecommunications Boot Camp for Educators.
“Workforce development and industry credentials is where workforce is heading,” said Donofe Meeks. “There are multiple ways to have careers now, so with our office of workforce development we’re trying to get ahead of that and offer opportunities.”
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