Ohio Adds $12M to 5G Training Partnership

Ohio tagged $12 million in grants for the state’s broadband and 5G sector partnership, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted (R) said Friday. The state is working with the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA), other industry groups and Ohio State University (OSU) to design training programs (see 2205180059). Husted said $3 million in grants will support the partnership’s operations in 2024, including $300,000 for equipment. The state will use $9 million from the Labor Department quality jobs, equity, strategy and training (QWEST) program to create regional hubs to implement Ohio’s strategy and give resources to local communities, Husted’s office said. “Having a skilled telecommunications workforce is essential to our administration’s support of broadband expansion and deploying 5G,” said Husted. WIA Chief Technology Officer Rikin Thakker said, “This additional funding will be crucial for advancing regional training programs that will strengthen Ohio’s broadband workforce and make it a national leader in broadband and 5G deployment.” OSU Computer Science and Engineering Chair Anish Arora said, “We will not only accelerate and scale ongoing programs but will also incorporate new elements in our instructional strategy and work with local partners in effecting the regional rollout.”