SCTE offers a slew of specialized training courses available for professional certification. With the new agreement, certain SCTE courses will count as college credit toward CSU Global’s new Broadband Operations Management Certificate, and SCTE members will get discounted tuition, according to a recent news release. SCTE offers a slew of specialized training courses available for professional certification.
The 16-credit online, asynchronous program teaches skills in how broadband networks are built and maintained, including installing and testing fiber-optic lines, using directional drilling tools to route conduits underground, following safety rules and leading technical crews. The certificate includes four academic courses and a 120-hour work-based practicum for students to gain hands-on experience.
The courses are offered at a discounted rate — $315 per credit compared to $375 per credit for similar programs — and SCTE members can save even more by putting SCTE courses toward the program.
“By turning SCTE certifications into college credit and lowering tuition costs, members gain more value from their SCTE learning,” Maria Popo, president and CEO of SCTE, said in a public statement. “Together, we are strengthening the workforce pipeline by expanding opportunities that attract, develop and retain skilled broadband professionals.”
According to the news release, the project aims to help close the digital divide by training more skilled professionals.
In many rural and remote communities, reliable high-speed Internet remains either unavailable or prohibitively expensive. In the U.S., up to 22 million people still lacked broadband access in 2024 according to a report from the data aggregation company BroadbandNow, with rural areas disproportionately affected. In Colorado, about 5 percent of households lack access to reliable Internet, according to a 2023 survey.
In addition to subpar infrastructure and high service costs, a lack of skilled labor contributes to these problems. The U.S. needs 58,000 more industry professionals — fiber-optic technicians, linemen, splicers, engineers and network planners, according to Capcon Networks. Many professionals in the industry are aging out, and without training programs that keep up with changing technologies, demand for skilled professionals outpaces supply.
Stronger broadband connectivity can impact a community’s employment, poverty level, educational attainment and more.
“This partnership not only provides educational training opportunities but also directly contributes to the economic vitality and connectivity of our communities,” Becky Takeda-Tinker, president of CSU Global, said in a public statement. “Partnering with leading organizations like SCTE allows us to stay at the forefront of industry needs, ensuring our programs are continuously aligned with the current technical skills and knowledge employers are seeking for learner workplace and professional success.”
