Tempo® Communications has been designated as an Approved School by the Fiber Optic Association (FOA), furthering its role in driving fiber technician education to address new installation needs created by new funding programs like Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD).
With this partnership, Tempo aims to ensure that qualified tradesmen are prepared to tackle the challenges of expanding and improving fiber optic networks.
Featuring in-person, hands-on courses that utilize Tempo’s tools and test instruments, FOA’s participants gain practical experience alongside theoretical knowledge.
According to the government’s calculations, BEAD will create 150,000 telecom jobs.
However a key challenge remains: a shortage of qualified technicians. The Fiber Broadband Association research estimates the industry will need over 205,000 new jobs in the next five years to construct, operate, and maintain these new networks in every state.
FOA rising
The FOA is renowned for its rigorous standards and comprehensive curriculum, which equip technicians with the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to excel in the field.
FOA has developed guidelines for training course approval and approves schools meeting their standards. As of mid-October, FOA has 99,460 Certified Fiber Optic Technicians (CFOTs®) certified through FOA-Approved Schools.
After adding many new certified techs in 2023 and 2024, FOA said it’s on track to reach a milestone this year—100,000 certified techs—just before its 30th anniversary.
Ramping education efforts
While earning the designation with the FOA is its recent development, Tempo has continued to enhance its fiber educational capabilities.
In February, Tempo introduced its Fiber Trainer offering, a tool to help fiber trainers more effectively prepare new technicians for dealing with real-world issues in the field.
Earlier, Tempo became a Platinum Level Partner with the electrical training ALLIANCE (etA), enhancing the organization’s instructional efforts and curriculum development.
The Electrical Training Alliance (etA) is a non-profit organization committed to delivering education in the electrical industry. Tempo will also help drive training on fiber optic test and measurement practices.
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Sean Buckley
Sean is responsible for establishing and executing the editorial strategies of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report across their websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products.