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10/29/2021

Broadband and 5G Sector Partnership Grant Opens

The grant application closes Dec. 17, 2021

Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted, who serves as director of the governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation (OWT), announced the launch of the Broadband and 5G Sector Partnership Grant application, as well as the launch of 5G Readiness Programs at Youngstown State University and Ashland University. Both announcements are part of a larger effort by OWT and BroadbandOhio to build the workforce needed to expand broadband access and 5G in Ohio.

The “Strengthening Ohio’s Broadband & 5G Workforce” Strategy, released in September, calls for a broadband and 5G sector partnership to design and distribute curriculum and training programs that will supply the industry with a skilled workforce. Ohio’s colleges and universities will have the opportunity to apply for the sector partnership, and as part of their application, they will identify a nonprofit telecommunications industry partner that will lead the effort. The grant application opened Oct. 25 and closes Dec. 17, 2021. The grant award will be announced in January.

"Through BroadbandOhio, our administration is aggressively working to expand high-speed internet access around Ohio, but we can't build the infrastructure without programs to train and produce a workforce," Husted said. "This sector partnership will spur the creation of even more training programs in the state, allowing more Ohioans to earn the skills and credentials needed to get a job in this fast-growing industry."

To ensure that Ohio has a skilled and prepared workforce to fill these broadband and 5G jobs, the strategy also outlines a plan for increasing broadband industry career awareness and creating more training and education programs in the state. The two 5G Readiness Programs will provide students with an understanding of the core fundamentals of 5G, which will allow them to start their careers in the telecommunications industry in a higher position, with a higher wage.

This represents another project related to broadband expansion that builds upon efforts by Governor Mike DeWine to expand and enhance high-speed internet access for businesses and families throughout Ohio.

The “Strengthening Ohio’s Broadband & 5G Workforce” Strategy can be found on the BroadbandOhio website

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