CWA Fiber Technician Apprenticeship Program Grant
The CWA Fiber Technician Apprenticeship Program is being developed through a Federal Department of Labor Education Employment and Training Administration (DOL) grant. The purpose of this grant is to increase the number of trained workers in career fields in which there are shortages requiring the U.S. to bring in trained workers from other countries.
Our grant program consists of a two-part training process. The first part is a pre-apprenticeship program and the second part is a registered apprenticeship program.
To participate in the grant training, you must be 17 years of age or older, and you must not be in a secondary school program (grades 1-12) or in any program leading to a high school diploma or the equivalency (GED).
There is no charge for going through the training as a grant participant.
Training seats for the grant program are limited. Students will be admitted using a random process.
Programs
Become certified in fiber optics through our Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Programs.
We offer in person classroom training in the pre-apprenticeship program. The learning continues with our apprenticeship program that consists of both classroom and associated field learning time as a paid apprentice. Training sites for the pre-apprenticeship program and apprenticeship classroom training will be in Boise and Idaho Falls. Future pre-apprenticeship classes are planned for outreach classes in Horseshoe Bend, Salmon, Duck Valley, and Mountain Home. Apprenticeship field work experiences may require travel to accommodate employer requirements and will be in various locations.
Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Our Pre-Apprenticeship program is a 5 week intensive program where you will learn about industry standards and gain hands-on experience for best practices in the fiber optics field.
Upon Completion of our Program you will have the following certifications and training experience:
- CFOT – Basic certifications through the Fiberoptics Association (FOA)
- CPR Certified
*The pre-apprenticeship course may happen in the spring with the Registered Apprenticeship training not beginning until the fall.
Registered Apprenticeship Program
The Federal standards are approved through Idaho State. We are a registered sponsor of apprenticeship for this program. We report the hours to Idaho State Apprentice program.
The training is a yearlong program. The training will include classroom times with paid apprentice field experiences with an employer.
Employer field work will include working under the mentorship of a journeyman fiber splicer. The field work will be paid by your employer. As you reach milestones in the classroom and field training you will receive wage increases through your employer.
You will be required to report your field training hours and milestones to the School so that we can report them to the Federal DOL.
Once you have successfully completed your classroom training program and apprenticeship hours we anticipate you will receive a Federal Journeyman’s certificate.
Anticipated certifications in the apprenticeship program are Fiber Optics Association certifications:
- Fiber Optics for Outside Plant
- Fiber Optics Splicing
- Fiber Optics Connectors
- Fiber Optics Testing
- Fiber Optics Fiber Characterization
Program Expectations of Students for Both Programs
- You are required to read the linked Student Handbook and sign the form agreeing to abide by the rules and information contained therein.
- You are required to complete and submit the Student Assessment form linked at the end of this section. This form is designed to help us help you if you need assistance as you progress through the program.
- Attendance is required. Pre-apprenticeship-You will be required to choose either the morning session or the afternoon session, although if you are unable to attend your chosen time period you may be allowed to join the other session for that day. Apprenticeship classes have not yet been scheduled. You will be dropped from the program for excessive non-attendance.
- No children are allowed to accompany you to class.
- CWA Fiber Optic Program is committed to the physical, mental health and safety of all students and instructors. Students will work with equipment and chemicals which can cause serious injury if not property performed and/or operated. The risk of injury or accident is substantially increased if a student is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The school is committed to being a Drug and Alcohol-Free program. Students are required to read, understand, sign and submit the Student Drug/Alcohol Use Policy. Violations of the policy may result in disciplinary actions up to and including dismissal from the program.
- There are resources available to assist you with expenses related to training such as child care, transportation or emergency housing assistance, if you qualify. We can refer you to the Idaho State WIOA agency to help you get started with the assistance if you would like. Our program itself has a limited amount of funds designated to assist students in an emergency. The form: Student Request for Assistance is available through the link at the bottom of this page.
- You will be required to behave in a professional manner, no disruptive behavior is allowed. Specific clothing is not required in the classroom; However, you must wear long pants or a long dress with closed toed shoes. All clothing worn must be clean and body odor must not be present. In the field work you will be required to wear clothing appropriate to the workplace, your employer will provide you with their requirements. You will not be allowed to work with the Fiber if you do not have the appropriate clothing.
- To perform the job as a Fiber Optics splicer you must not be color blind, or you must have an assistive device to correct your color blindness, as the color scheme used in Fiber Optics is essential for performance of the job.
- When you reach the point of working as an Apprentice you will be required to report your working hours to the School so we can report them to the Federal Apprenticeship Program so the hours count toward your reaching the Journeyman status. The form is linked below, it will be required on a monthly basis.
- To be a participant in this grant project you are required to allow us to submit your information on the student questionnaire and your progress through training to the Federal DOL (through a secure system).
- You are also required to inform the program of your employment status and changes, and if you enter into another training program. We anticipate this will be a minimal time commitment from you. The form for reporting your employment status is linked below, the only time you will need to resubmit it is if you change employers, or enter into another training program.
- In the student handbook you will see that you have the right to ask for a review of a grade if you disagree with it. The student Grievance form is linked below for your use.
- If you are dropping the class you are required to report to us the reasons why. The form is linked below.
NOTE: Social Security numbers are a requested section of the data so that the DOL can track program exit-based indicators of performance for the grant. These indicators are defined as:
- Employment rate- 2nd quarter after program exit
- Employment Rate- 4th quarter after program exit
- Median Earnings- 2nd quarter after program exit and
- Effectiveness in serving employers (retention with same employer in the 2nd and 4th quarters after program exit.
The information collected is reported in an aggregate form not on individuals (all participants are reported without corresponding names).