A new Workforce Planning Guide has been made available by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration of the Department of Commerce for use by states and territories when organizing high-speed internet deployment initiatives.
More than 150,000 well-paying jobs will be created by the high-speed internet deployment and digital equity projects sponsored by the Biden-Harris administration's Internet for All plan, according to a news release issued Oct. 19.
“Women are underrepresented in telecommunications jobs. The Internet for All initiative can change this. We have an opportunity to diversify our workforce, so it looks like America,” Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said in the release. “These good jobs are the foundation of an equitable economy that lifts up workers and families and makes businesses more competitive globally.”
This resource includes ideas to create a highly-skilled, diversified workforce that can safely carry out their duties to connect everyone in America to high-speed internet, ensuring states have the workforce required to deploy high-speed internet projects, the release reported.
The Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment program of the Internet for All initiative has workforce standards grant applicants and subgrantees must adhere to when putting their initiatives into action, according to the release. This manual is a component of NTIA's duty to give those organizations the technical support materials they require to meet workforce standards and advance a skilled workforce. The guidance can be useful for organizations taking part in Middle Mile and Digital Equity Planning Grant programs, two more Internet for All programs.
