HUNTSVILLE — Fiber optic cables are the backbone of the modern world, carrying internet, TV, and telephone data.
With that comes a demand for technicians to repair and test these lifelines of communication.
To help meet that need, Drake State Community & Technical College is hosting a free Fiber Optic Fusion Splicing Certificate Course in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Sumitomo Electric Lightwave. The AWS Fiber Optic Fusion Splicing Certificate Course is a two-day training program on fiber optic installation and repair.
And graduates will be hired on the spot.
“This a great program to upskill the North Alabama workforce to meet the needs of the growing demand for fiber optic technicians,” said Dr. Levi Mayer, assistant dean of Instruction. There are not many free opportunities, but this is a completely free class. These jobs are in-demand. This is clear by the companies that will be present during the graduation ceremony to hire graduates on-the-spot.
Students have the opportunity to learn a skill, gain a certificate, graduate in two days, walk off the graduation stage and be offered employment. That is a good deal!”
Fiber optic cables are made up of tiny glass tubes, which makes repairing and testing them specialized work. The course is intended for anyone who wants to enter the industry and learn the fusion splicing skill.
These skills are increasingly needed to build out the world’s data and communication networks such as 5G and data centers. Given this need, and as part of Amazon’s commitment to train 29 million people for free on cloud computing and technical skills by 2025, AWS has teamed up with Sumitomo Electric Lightwave to host free Fusion Splicing Certificate courses at colleges across the country.
“The partnership between Amazon Web Services, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave, and Drake State is a unique partnership, but a model that is becoming more common as industry is becoming more involved in the recruitment and training of their workforce,” Mayer said. “Amazon Web Service is committed to increasing the number of people with internet connectivity and Sumitomo Electric Lightwave is a fiber optic cable manufacturer.”
Students accepted into the no-cost program will learn through a combination of lectures and hands-on training and can also take part in a career networking session, allowing participants to meet local employers.
The class is April 17-18 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. At the end of day two, there will be a certificate ceremony and employer networking event that will conclude at 6 p.m.
To register, click here.
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