Welcome to the Central Node!

Explore education and training programs to help jumpstart your career in the Broadband & 5G sector! Click on the links below and connect with valuable resources and program representatives.

• Visit the Central Ohio Broadband and 5G Website!

Contact Information: cete-broadband@osu.edu

• Columbus City Schools

Programs Offered: Broadband Infrastructure Training Program
Contact Information: cete-broadband@osu.edu

• C-Tec of Licking County

Programs Offered: Broadband Infrastructure Training Program
Contact Information: cete-broadband@osu.edu

• Delaware Area Career Center

Programs Offered: Broadband Infrastructure Training Program
Contact Information: cete-broadband@osu.edu

• Eastland-Fairfield Career Center

Programs Offered: Broadband Infrastructure Training Program
Contact Information: cete-broadband@osu.edu

• Goodwill Columbus

Programs Offered: Broadband Infrastructure Training Program
Contact Information: cete-broadband@osu.edu

• Ohio State University

Programs Offered: Network Design and Engineering, Wireless Devices, Broadband and 5G Innovation
Contact Information: cete-broadband@osu.edu

• Pickaway Ross Career Center

Programs Offered: Broadband Infrastructure Training Program
Contact Information: cete-broadband@osu.edu

• South-Western City Schools Adult Training Hub

Programs Offered: Broadband Infrastructure Training Program
Contact Information: cete-broadband@osu.edu

• Tolles Career Center

Programs Offered: Broadband Infrastructure Training Program
Contact Information: cete-broadband@osu.edu

• Tri Rivers Career Center

Programs Offered: Broadband Infrastructure Training Program
Contact Information: cete-broadband@osu.edu

Use these maps to find programs near you!

• Broadband & 5G Sector Partnership Programs
• Ohio’s Education and Training Programs affiliated with Telecommunications
• Apprenticeship Programs for Broadband & 5G Occupations

Getting started can be expensive, so explore these resources and reach out to financial aid experts to find available funding!

• Ohio Based Employment Programs

A comprehensive tool to locate funded training resources by target group and offered services.

• Ohio Department of Higher Education

Explore more state-sponsored funding opportunities and see if you are eligible.

• Choose Ohio First

The Ohio Department of Higher Education provides funding to Ohio’s colleges and universities to support students in innovative academic programs. Participating universities and colleges award scholarships to students desiring a certificate, associate degree, baccalaureate degree, or graduate degree in eligible STEM fields or to students who want to become STEM teachers.

• Ohio Work Ready Grant

The Ohio Work Ready Grant provides funding to Ohio residents who demonstrate the highest levels of financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Eligible students must be enrolled in a qualified program at an Ohio community college, an Ohio technical center, or a state university branch campus.

• Second Chance Grant Program

Provides financial assistance to students who stopped out of an Ohio college, university, or Ohio Technical Center and are returning to finish their education.

• Short-Term Certificate Grant Program

Funding for need-based financial aid students who are enrolled in a state supported community college, state community college, technical college, or an Ohio Technical Center in a program that may be completed in less than one year and for which a certificate or industry-recognized credential is awarded in an in-demand job as determined by a local and regional needs assessment.

• Talent Ready Grant Program

Supports workforce credential and certificate programs of fewer than 30 credit hours at a community college, state community college, technical college, or university regional campus, or fewer than 900 clock hours at an Ohio Technical Center.

• Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS)

Visit the ODJFS website and explore what services you may be eligible for including job services and unemployment, cash food and refugee assistance, child care, and more.

• Cash Assistance (Ohio Works First) | Ohio.gov | Official Website of the State of Ohio

Ohio Works First (OWF) is the financial assistance portion of the state's Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program. It provides cash benefits to eligible families for up to 36 months.

• Comprehensive Case Managment and Employment Program (CCMEP)

CCMEP is an innovative program that can help low-income young adults build career paths, find employment and break the cycle of poverty. It offers a wide range of services specifically tailored to each individual.

• Visit your local OhioMeansJobs (OMJ) Center

Contact your Ohio Means Jobs Center (OMJ) and explore employment services through Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding and additional funding.

Check out these support services you may qualify for!

• Child Care in Ohio

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) offers financial assistance to eligible parents to help them with childcare costs while they engage in work, education, or job training.

• Community Action Agencies

Serving low-income children, adults, and families with a holistic approach with credit consulting, emergency assistance, securing housing, and more.

• Ohio Benefits

Learn about assistance programs in Ohio and access benefits for you and your family.

Ohio Benefits Self Service Portal

• Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS)

Visit the ODJFS website and explore what services you may be eligible for including job services and unemployment, cash food and refugee assistance, child care, and more.

Click through the links below to plan your telecommunications career path!

• Discover graduation trends of Ohio graduates in telecommunications fields
• Ohio Workforce Success Measures

Explore results for people completing post-secondary training/education programs, and links to other career resources.

• Students Exploring Careers

If you're a K-12 student, begin planning your future today with this tool by OMJ to explore career options.

Click through the links below to plan your telecommunications career path!

• Explore telecommunications career pathways
• Ohio Workforce Success Measures

Explore results for people completing post-secondary training/education programs, and links to other career resources.

• Wireless Infrastructure Association Career Pathways Tool

This tool explores your Broadband & 5G career options.

Apprenticeships are for people 16 years and older who want to earn an income while also learning a new career. Learn more about Ohio’s Broadband & 5G sector apprenticeship opportunities by checking out these resources!

• Why Become an Apprentice?

Click on this link to learn about apprenticeships, how to become an apprentice, and opportunities for veterans.

• Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP)

TIRAP apprenticeships are industry driven, proven workforce solution for building a skilled broadband workforce.

• Apprenticeship Programs for Broadband & 5G Occupations

Check out the data driven Workforce Analysis interactive charts showing what jobs and skills Ohio’s telecom employers are looking for!

• Skills Analysis of Broadband & 5G Sector
• Job Titles in the Broadband & 5G Sector
• Job Titles by Employer and Occupation Imbedded link to Job and Skills

Explore these resources and tools below to start your telecom career!

• Create a profile on OhioMeansJobs

Enter your preferred job title, skill or company, or find resources about creating a profile and refining your job application materials.

For Job Seekers

• Explore online job boards and attend networking events to meet industry professionals and learn about the field
• OhioMeansJobs Portal

Explore your next opportunity on the OhioMeansJobs portal.

• Visit your local OhioMeansJobs (OMJ) Center

Explore services by Ohio Means Jobs Centers local to your county.

• Visit an Ohio Technical Center in your region

Visit your education and training institution’s career services center to get connected to local hiring events and employers.

• C-Tec of Licking County
• Columbus City Schools
• Delaware Area Career Center
• Eastland Fairfield CTC
• Knox Technical Center
• Tolles Career & Technical Center
• Tri Rivers JVSD

Click on the links below and reach out to these contacts to get started!

• Connect with Central Ohio Region

Contact Information: cete-broadband@osu.edu

• Connect with Ohio’s Campuses

Reach out to public universities, regional campuses, community colleges, technical centers, and independent campuses near you.

• Connect with OhioMeansJobs (OMJ)

The OhioMeansJobs team is ready to partner with you to meet your workforce needs.

Visit an OMJ center near you

Connect with the programs and contacts below to learn if your company is eligible to participate!

• Connect with Central Ohio Region

Contact Information: cete-broadband@osu.edu

• TechCred

TechCred helps Ohioans learn new skills and helps employers build a stronger workforce with the skills needed in a technology infused economy. Learn more about how TechCred works and how your company might benefit.

• Workforce Bridge Program

Program providing financial incentives to help their associates gain independence from public assistance by increasing salary to bridge a Benefit Cliff. Explore the Workforce Bridge Toolkit to learn about public assistance, remove employment barriers, and retain employees.

Want to be involved with Ohio’s Broadband & 5G Sector Partnership? We invite you to take the first step by reaching out to the contacts below.

• Connect with Central Ohio Regional Advisory Committee

Contact Information: cete-broadband@osu.edu

• Contact Frank Kohstall at kohstall.5@osu.edu to get involved join Ohio’s Broadband & 5G Sector Partnership

  Managing Director of 5G and Broadband Connectivity Center, College of Engineering, The Ohio State University

Learn how your company can host an apprentice by selecting these resource links!

• Become a Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP) Employer

Powered by the Wireless Infrastructure Association and with partners across the country, TIRAP provides technical assistance, training resources, support, and access to incentive funding for our registered Employer Sponsors.

• Employer Information for ApprenticeOhio

Learn more about the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services ApprenticeOhio initiative. Build a skilled workforce and save money with a Registered Apprenticeship.

Learn more about Broadband in Ohio!

• Visit BroadbandOhio

Nearly 1 million Ohioans do not have access to high-speed internet and BroadbandOhio is working to ensure all Ohioans can participate in the modern economy.

• Visit 5G-OH Connectivity Center at The Ohio State University

The 5G and Broadband Connectivity Center at the OSU College of Engineering delivers curriculum, research innovation, and workforce development solutions through analytics to provide a comprehensive view of Ohio's telecom industry workforce.

• National Broadband Map

The National Broadband Map provides Information about the internet services available to individual locations across the country, along with new maps of mobile coverage, as reported by the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the FCC’s ongoing Broadband Data Collection.

• Strengthening Ohio’s Broadband & 5G Workforce

Click here to learn more about Ohio’s strategy to ensure a skilled Broadband & 5G workforce to meet the growing needs of the industry working to expand this critical infrastructure.

Internet coverage varies by region. Explore these maps to learn more about where connectivity gaps still exist!

• Broadband Ohio | Ohio Department of Development of Ohio

Explore more maps and resources here.

• Ohio Broadband Availability Gaps

Broadband Ohio launched a new mapping resource that displays Ohio household’s connectivity to high-speed internet using Ookla Speedtest Intelligence records paired with county-level profiles.