Case Study: Bossier Parish Community College | Fiber Optic Technician Bootcamp in Bossier Camp, Louisiana

The world is facing a pressing need for a skilled workforce that can meet the demands of the 21st-century century economy. That’s where workforce development comes in. Louisiana's broadband office is the Louisiana Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity, or ConnectLA. It coordinates federal, state, and municipal efforts identifying best practices and executing tactics to eliminate the digital divide by 2029. ConnectLA strongly believes in the importance of employment opportunities to uplift disadvantaged communities throughout the state of Louisiana and has a strong educational partner in the Louisiana Community & Technical College System (LCTCS). LCTCS has a track record of developing partnerships with industries to fill current gaps and anticipate future needs. Many companies cited challenges they’re facing in trying to find talent to work in the construction, maintenance, and operational fields required to deploy broadband projects. Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) partnered with AT&T to develop a Certified Fiber Optics Technician boot camp, an intensive 3-day course designed for students interested in becoming a Certified Fiber Optic Technician. The course introduces students to industry standards governing FTTD (Fiber To The Desk), FTTH (Fiber To The Home), and Distribution Cabling. Students learn how to identify fiber types, recognize various connectors used in fiber installation, and install, terminate, splice, and properly test installed fiber cables to existing standards. Industry-based Credentials (IBCs) are embedded in all the curricula delivered to meet the broadband workforce needs. The college works with industry associations and certifying bodies to provide third-party oversight of the quality of the training and the competencies developed.