Labor Dept. Picks WIA to Lead on Wireless Workforce Initiative

The U.S. Department of Labor gave the Wireless Infrastructure Association a contract to be the 5G industry intermediary to develop a wireless workforce, WIA said Monday. WIA is the national sponsor of the Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program, the group noted. “The contract will enable WIA to assist employers in developing over 600 apprentices in the next year, with multi-year options to renew thereafter,” and $400,000 annually “in incentive funds for employers that adopt registered apprenticeship and serve under-represented populations,” WIA said. Industry needs to invest in the workforce now to be ready for 5G, WIA President Jonathan Adelstein said in an interview. “There’s a real crunch ahead, with all the carriers investing, plus Dish” Network, he said, noting Congress could also authorize funding for infrastructure. “We’ve got to put this effort on steroids” since 5G takes more workers with specialized skills than any previous generation, he said. “There’s never a guarantee,” he said. “You’ll always get people to do these jobs; the question is are they really ready to do it.”