Dayton Engineer
UD chosen to lead state efforts to increase 5G broadband workforce and training in Western Ohio area
The University of Dayton was chosen to lead the state of Ohio’s Office of Workforce Transformation 5G Broadband grant for the West node, representing 12 counties in Ohio (Montgomery, Greene, Fayette, Clinton, Preble, Darke, Miami, Clark, Champagne, Shelby, Mercer and Auglaize).
The grant provides resources to develop the needed workforce to build and support Ohio’s statewide 5G broadband network. The West node will create awareness of the career pathways for students in K-12 and provide the needed educational opportunities for our region to produce a trained workforce. UD will work collaboratively with Sinclair Community College, Miami Valley Community Action Partnership and Ohio Means Jobs.
UD and Sinclair will begin offering training opportunities starting in Fall 2024. New programs will be created and existing programs expanded through the grant funding. Sinclair will begin offering a Fiber Optic Association technician certification. UD will offer training and certifications for 5G readiness, internet of things and RF engineer I.
"Our partnership’s vision for the next three to five years is to raise awareness about exciting career opportunities in the fiber/5G sector," UD School of Engineering Dean Gül Kremer said. "Together, we'll develop state-of-the-art teaching systems and hands-on learning areas for training at all levels."
In Spring 2025, UD and Sinclair hope to grow course offerings to develop associate’s degrees and undergraduate and graduate programs. The institutions will be able to offer training at all levels of the career pathway — from technician, field engineer, project manager, senior field engineer, operations manager, RF engineer I, RF engineer II and more. Students will also complete the Occupational Safety and Health Association's 10-hour certification and CPR/First Aid training.
A final charge of the group is to expand awareness of career opportunities within 5G broadband and help students with access to training and job placement through partnership with Miami Valley Action Partnership and Ohio Means Jobs. The group is also working with local K-12 programs to include potential offerings for their students.
The West node was also awarded a SuperRAPIDS grant from the Ohio Department of Higher Education to develop a state-of-the-art interactive teaching facility at both UD and Sinclair. In the fall, Sinclair will open a wireless communications lab at its Centerville campus and UD will open a new interactive teaching lab, hybrid teaching space, and fabrication lab space in Kettering Labs in Fall 2024.