Miami University to help support broadband and 5G workforce development strategy in Southwest Ohio
Recently, Miami University was announced by Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted to be part of a new Southwest Ohio regional hub, one of six regional hubs created to expand Ohio’s Broadband and 5G Sector Partnership’s efforts locally.
Miami University to help support broadband and 5G workforce development strategy in Southwest Ohio
By Gabby Benedict, CEC Student Intern
On July 24th, Ohio Lt. Governor and Director of the Governor’s Office of Workplace Transformation Jon Husted announced Miami University as part of the REDI Cincinnati JobsOhio Region, a regional hub (or “node”) designed to support the implementation of Ohio's Broadband and 5G Workforce Strategy locally in Southwest Ohio.
The “Strengthening Ohio’s Broadband & 5G Workforce” Strategy aims to maximize public and private investments in broadband and 5G at both the state and federal levels. This strategy also aims to increase Ohioans’ awareness of the broadband industry, ensure that Ohio has a skilled and prepared workforce to fill these kinds of jobs and implement more education and training programs for the broadband industry.
Husted’s announcement was that regional hubs would be placed across JobsOhio’s six-region map and will provide resources to local communities. The partnership’s strategy is to increase broadband industry career awareness and create more training and education programs in Ohio.
In January, Husted announced $9 million in QUEST funding from the U.S. Department of Labor in order to support the creation of regional hubs across Ohio. This budget will be used to support the implementation of Ohio's strategy, as well as provide resources to local communities so they can create the talent pipeline needed for local businesses.
Colleen Bush, College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) Director of Industry Relations, played a large role in helping make Miami the Southwest region’s cornerstone in empowering local communities. Bush helped Miami’s academic and workforce development partners pull together a plan for what the region will do with their share of the budget.
“Miami University’s College of Engineering and Computing is excited to be partnering with Great Oaks, Cincinnati State, the workforce development boards of Brown, Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren Counties, and Community Action Agency of Cincinnati as a part of Ohio’s initiatives in expanding opportunities for Broadband and 5G education and training,” Bush said.
As a result of the partnership, Miami’s CEC will be adding two courses based on the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA)’s 5G readiness program. These courses will be offered as technical electives for students interested in developing skills in this area.
