Fiber Broadband Awareness Week

Fiber Broadband Awareness Week

Upcoming Events


November 1-2, 2023

AWS Fiber Optic Fusion Splicing at Sinclair College

Learn about fiber optic installation, repair and splicing. Practice real-world deployment techniques ranging from hand tools to state-of-the-art automated fusion splicing technology. Take part in a career networking session with local employers to learn more about the industry and discover job opportunities.

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November 4, 2023

Fiber Broadband Career Awareness Event hosted by Team Fishel

Join us at Team Fishel’s Columbus operations for a day of hands-on experience with careers in the Fiber Broadband industry. Industry experts and cutting edge equipment will be on-site for attendees to learn more about the lifecycle of our broadband infrastructure. Please follow the link below to learn more information and secure your registration!

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November 7, 2023

I2W for Educators Event at Tolles Career & Technical Center

Join for a 1-day internet infrastructure workshop. Help local educators better understand the infrastructure side of the internet, and the many different careers that comprise it. The day will include small group discussions with educators and employers, and lots of opportunities to network.

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The importance of careers in the broadband industry

Hear from Craig Mathes, Team Fishel's Vice President of Safety and Human Resources, about the importance of careers in the broadband industry here.

Why Broadband Matters

Nearly 1 million Ohioans do not have access to high-speed internet, and BroadbandOhio is working to ensure all Ohioans can participate in the modern economy.

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Free 2-day Workshops

See below for a recap of previous events!

The PAST Foundation and Tolles Career & Technical Center, in collaboration with Amazon Web Services and Sumitomo Electric Lightwave, each hosted a free 2-day Fiber Optic Fusion Splicing Certificate Course the week of February 27th, 2023. These courses were hosted and instructed by Sumitomo Electric Lightwave, which is a recognized leader in optical fiber technologies and solutions for data centers, enterprises, and communication networks.

To read: Enjoy a perspective of the week's activities from Amazon Web Services here: https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/aws/aws-brings-free-fiber-optic-training-to-ohio

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About The Courses

High school students from Central Ohio, as well as students who have recently graduated and are looking for entry into the field, were invited and highly encouraged to participate in these courses. These no-cost programs taught participants about the basics of the telecommunications industry, how to install and repair fiber optics, as well as how to use real-world deployment techniques ranging from hand tools to state-of-the-art automated fusion splicing technology, all through lectures and hands-on lessons. For an overview and perspective on careers from our partners enjoy the PAST Foundation "Learning UnBoxed" Podcast below:

Team Fishel

Career Opportunities

Industry partners, such as Team Fishel, who are focused on recruiting motivated individuals for careers in the telecommunications industry attended the events.

At a Glance - Highlights of the week

From the State of Ohio’s Press Release:

The Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, Tolles Career & Technical Center, The PAST Foundation, and Team Fishel, in collaboration with Amazon Web Services and Sumitomo Electric Lightwave joined forces to host the first-ever State of Ohio Fiber Broadband Awareness Week. The week, which took place from February 27 through March 3, included 2 free AWS Fiber Optic Fusion Splicing Certificate Courses that granted participants a fiber optic fusion splicing certificate and networking opportunities. Activities also included an Introductory Fiber Broadband Workshop for high school students. More than 70 individuals took part in the week’s activities designed to bring awareness of high demand jobs in the broadband industry and offer access to free technical skills training.

“In Ohio, we’re making significant investments in broadband and 5G to ensure all Ohioans have access to high-speed internet and the ability to participate in the modern economy,” said Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted. “Building these broadband and 5G networks will create tens of thousands of jobs over the next decade, and it is our goal to ensure we have the skilled, technical workforce to make this happen. This event was a great opportunity for Ohioans to learn about the many careers available in this field, network with industry leaders and access training.”

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Partners