LAC Collaborates With Sumitomo Electric And The Fiber Broadband Association For Updated Fiber Program

For Immediate Release 12/21/22 – Learning Alliance Newsroom

Learning Alliance Corporation (LAC) announces a collaboration with all-fiber trade organization, Fiber Broadband Association, and fiber manufacturer, Sumitomo Electric for new and improved LAC Fiber program that will better prepare students to meet the workforce needs of the fiber industry.

The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA), who advocate and educate companies on all things fiber, collaborated with LAC in the integration of their certification, , the Optical Telecom Installer Certification Path (OpTIC Path™), into LAC’s  Broadband Fiber Digital Program. According to FBA’s article on this certification, “the OpTIC Path™ program was created to develop the skilled fiber technician workforce needed to support the significant increase in fiber network builds that are planned as a result of the NTIA’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Development (BEAD) Program.”

“The OpTIC Path program is gaining exciting momentum. We’re seeing an influx of community colleges and other institutions, like the Learning Alliance, adopt our course and help us take a huge step toward eliminating the fiber workforce shortage,” said Deborah Kish, Vice President of Research and Workforce Development at the Fiber Broadband Association. “The Learning Alliance’s mission is to exchange ideas and to shape the future of trades across the country, and that is the perfect partner for our OpTIC Path program. We look forward to working with the institution and taking this step together.”

Sumitomo Electric, an innovative manufacturer of electric wire and optical fiber cables, showed their support of LAC’s fiber program by making a generous contribution in high-end fiber splicers and training equipment that helps facilitate the fiber students with a more advanced hands-on preparation. Having the right tools of preparation are essential for these students to sharpen their knowledge and skills that will contribute to their success in the industry.

“Sumitomo Electric is committed to ensuring the ICT industry has a prepared workforce,” noted Ryo Takehana, Vice President of Sumitomo Electric U.S.A. “We’re proud to collaborate with the Learning Alliance to train new fiber technicians capable of creating and sustaining next-generation fiber optic infrastructures.”

“One of the biggest challenges our employer partners have is finding enough trained technicians. We excel at bringing in those people. Very often companies are hiring individuals directly out of our classes. One of our partners doubled its employees overnight with our graduates and therefore doubled the work the company could accomplish the next day,” said Cesar Ruiz, CEO at Learning Alliance. “The OpTIC Path program is an exciting addition to our course offering because fiber is pivotal in everything in telecom. This program, along with Sumitomo’s contributions are tremendously helpful for our aspiring future fiber technicians. “

About Learning Alliance

Learning Alliance Corporation partners with businesses, colleges, and universities to bring U.S. Veterans and civilians stronger training initiatives that equate to solid career growth. By partnering with employers nationwide, Learning Alliance Corporation has created workshops, labs and simulation programs that align the theoretical concepts with real-world application learning. This adaptable approach creates learning solutions based on the community-specific goals, industry, staff skill level, and corporate culture. Learning Alliance Corporation provides quality instructors who are highly trained and specialize in the areas they teach. Learn more at https://www.mylearningalliance.com or contact Lymaris Pabellon at lpabellon@mylearningalliance.com

About Sumitomo Electric

Sumitomo Electric Lightwave (SEL) foresaw the migration to an all-optical fiber network as early as 1983 when it first opened its doors. Since then, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave has positioned itself as a recognized leader in the innovation, design, development, and manufacturing of advanced and integrated end-to-end solutions for data center, enterprise, and communication network customers. These technologically advanced solutions help our customers simplify network complexity, while improving performance, cost savings, and network efficiencies. By drawing on R&D, resources and expertise both internally and from Sumitomo Electric Industries, we provide a breadth of advanced optical fiber solutions and options that give network managers the freedom and flexibility in network design.

About Fiber Broadband Association

Established in 2001, and the only all-fiber trade association in the Americas, the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) provides advocacy, education and resources to companies, organizations and communities who want to deploy the best networks through fiber to the home, fiber to the business and fiber everywhere. Our member-led association collaborates with industry allies to propel fiber deployment forward for a better broadband future here and around the world.