Fiber Buildout to Face Worker Shortages 

The massive funding being infused into broadband networks by the U.S. and state governments will create an “extraordinary”
amount of engineering and construction activity, disrupting the fiber deployment labor market, according to a nationwide
study by Continuum Capital, an independent consulting firm. The demand created by the funding will exceed the supply of
engineering, permitting, locating, and construction workforces, the study said.

To avoid bottlenecks and construction delays, 28,000 more broadband construction workers and 30,000 more broadband
technician workers are needed immediately to execute the current amount of planned federal and state broadband funding,
according to the study. Over the next 10 years, an additional 119,200 construction and technician workers will be needed for
ongoing and routine broadband construction, attachment, and maintenance activities, the study said.

To increase the fiber deployment workforce, PCCA has implemented several strategies, including partnering with technical/
community colleges on utility technician programs, registered apprenticeships through TIRAP, a returning veteran program
through the Learning Alliance, working with state broadband offices, and outreach through social media videos.

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