Gone are the days when a single phone line connected us. Today’s digital society relies on broadband, not just for social interaction but for economic growth, education, remote work and healthcare access. Broadband is essential infrastructure, and maintaining and expanding it requires a skilled workforce prepared to meet today’s demands and tomorrow’s innovations.
At Northwood Technical College, we’ve been training students for careers in telecommunications since 1973. Over the past 50 years, more than 1,400 graduates have entered the workforce, ready to keep our communities connected and our businesses running. We saw a growing need to strengthen the talent pipeline, especially in rural areas, and responded by launching the Broadband Academy, a 100% online, self-paced, stackable credential program built in partnership with NTCA—The Rural Broadband Association.
Our goal is clear: Deliver flexible, career-focused training that equips new and incumbent workers with the skills they need to thrive in an evolving telecommunications workforce.
A New Model for Broadband Workforce Training
According to research, broadband-related job growth is expected to rise nationally by 2.7% by 2030—and in Wisconsin, by 5.7%. However, in many areas, especially rural communities, there are not enough trained workers to meet the demand.
Paul Kostner, a utility construction technician and broadband academy instructor at Northwood Tech, emphasized the academy’s mission to help rural broadband companies grow their workforce from within their own communities. The course content, shaped by industry feedback, is delivered in a flexible format, giving individuals a real opportunity to advance their careers while continuing to work full time.
The Broadband Academy was built around a learner-centric design:
- Courses available online 24/7
- Modular, à la carte learning paths
- Industry-informed content
- Stackable credentials leading to advancement
It’s an ideal fit for adult learners and working professionals, who may not have the time or resources to return to school full time but want to reskill or upskill in a growing field.
Miriam Guel, a learner from South Slope in Iowa, appreciated the flexibility of the self-paced course format. It allowed her to engage with the material in a way that matched her learning preferences. Through the course, she discovered the critical role fiber optics play in broadband internet, linking networks and data centers and forming the core of modern connectivity. She described the experience as both insightful and enjoyable.
Meeting Learners and Employers Where They Are
Participants consistently highlight how the training helps them better understand their work and the larger broadband ecosystem.
Elizabeth Stephenson of DNR Cooperative in North Dakota found the class eye opening, noting that it provided valuable insight into the behind-the-scenes operations of her field. She described it as both interesting and informative, offering a deeper understanding that extended well beyond processing orders inside the office. For her, the course delivered a new appreciation for the work field technicians do and proved to be highly beneficial.
For those new to the field, the program builds confidence and a strong foundation.
Cyrus Hickman of BevComm in Minnesota shared that the class gave him a much stronger understanding of copper operations—a valuable perspective given that his company primarily focuses on fiber but still serves a few copper-based customers. As someone new to this type of work, he found the course particularly helpful. It offered the foundational knowledge he needed and served as a great starting point for anyone entering the industry with a desire to learn and grow.
Others appreciated how the program brings current broadband advancements into perspective.
Christina Amay-Kluver of ColtonTel in Oregon highlighted her interest in exploring all aspects of fiber optics, with a particular fascination of the evolution of fiber-optic networks. Through the course, she gained a clear understanding of how fiber optics form the backbone of broadband internet, linking networks and data centers and serving as a central component of modern connectivity.
Employers also benefit. By integrating our curriculum into onboarding, internal training and cross-skilling strategies, they build workforce capacity, improve retention and ensure consistent, high-quality technical knowledge—all while minimizing workplace disruption.
Supporting Communities Through Connectivity
In 2022, the White House recognized the Broadband Academy as part of the Talent Pipeline Challenge. It remains a model of how technical colleges can support workforce readiness through flexible, affordable and accessible training programs aligned with real-world careers.
At Northwood Tech, we believe this effort is bigger than broadband. It’s about how we prepare students for work and life. It’s about access, equity and opportunity. And it’s about transforming communities, one trained technician at a time.
The future is fiber. And the future belongs to the people who install, maintain and innovate the networks that connect us all. As educators, we’re proud to help them get there.
Learn more at NorthwoodTech.edu/BroadbandAcademy.
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