MARCH 15, 2016 (Exton, PA; Philadelphia; Atlanta)—The Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) and the SCTE Foundation have teamed with Comcast and Georgia Tech Professional Education (GTPE) to open doors to cable telecommunications career opportunities for transitioning members of the armed forces.
Comcast has entered into a pilot training partnership with GTPE’s successful Veterans Education Training and Transition (VET2) program to recruit and train two initial groups of up to 20 participants each for cable telecommunications engineering careers. The program is utilizing the training resources of SCTE and its global arm, the International Society of Broadband Experts (ISBE). Training will be funded by a grant from the SCTE Foundation.
Launched in 2013, VET2 maintains a 100 percent job offer rate for service members completing the program. Comcast is using the program to identify, engage and offer training and internship opportunities to high-potential transitioning service members, enabling new career paths for program participants and a source of highly trained individuals for the cable workforce. The seven-month process includes student selection and pre-certification, self-paced SCTE/ISBE online training, and an internship that combines academics and practical experience. Up to 40 participants with multiple years of military experience in communications or IT-related areas will be selected.
“We are thrilled to partner with these respected organizations to connect with military talent early in the transition process,” said Carol Eggert, Vice President, Military and Veteran Affairs for Comcast and Brigadier General (R), U.S. Army. “These highly motivated, talented participants will have the chance to explore exciting career paths in our industry, and we look forward to the opportunity to have them join our team.”
“Georgia Tech has a 130-year history supporting veterans in our community,” said Dr. James Wilburn, Director of Military Academic Programs at Georgia Tech Professional Education. “This program brings together a major employer that shares our commitment to veterans, industry-leading technical and workforce education, and the funding needed to streamline that process for participants.”
Initial student screening and pre-certification are being conducted by Georgia Tech Professional Education for service members residing in close proximity to Fort Gordon, Fort Stewart and Warner Robins Air Force Base. Beginning in Q2 of this year, students in the first class will complete SCTE/ISBE online training and certification for one of two tracks: Field Technician, which requires attainment of SCTE/ISBE Broadband Premises Installer (BPI) certification, or Headend Technician, which requires attainment of SCTE/ISBE Broadband TelecomCenter Specialist (BTCS) certification.
Students who pass the required SCTE/ISBE certification examinations will advance to a second phase that includes additional VET2 training and Comcast internships during Q3. This phase includes:
- Familiarization with Comcast and the differences between military and civilian organization structures;
- Socialization around the “entry experience” as a new hire;
- Communication, including interpersonal communication modes and conflict management; and
- Presentation that enables participants to refine interview skills and to present what they have learned during the internship.
“Our military veterans represent a deep pool of highly skilled, well-trained talent that would be a tremendous asset to cable,” said Mark Dzuban, president and CEO of SCTE/ISBE. “Our hat is off to Comcast for working with Georgia Tech Professional Education, the SCTE Foundation and SCTE/ISBE to show how the vast resources of our industry and its training partners can help these dedicated men and women transition their military training to new civilian careers.”
“As consumers depend increasingly on technology for all of their entertainment and communications needs, our need for world-class technical skills is growing,” said Mark Hess, president of the SCTE Foundation and senior vice president, business and industry affairs for Comcast Cable. “The SCTE Foundation’s support for VET2 will help our industry meet that need while at the same time helping our military men and women to make the transition to civilian careers.”
