OKMULKE, Oklv. – Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology (OSUIT) in Okmulgee and OSU Tulsa are now offering a Fiber Optic Program for tribal citizens. This program is funded by the National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) and is strictly for underrepresented individuals. This program features hands-on and repetition learning, including splicing and building splice trays.
OSUIT Fiber Technician Program Adjunct Instructor Shannon Brown (Mvskoke) and OSUIT Program Coordinator Brandon Dinsmore spoke about the program, its benefits and the future it holds for tribal citizens.
According to a program flyer from OSUIT, “fiber optics connect our world, powering technology including e-commerce, streaming, communication and gaming. With miles of fiber optic cable laid each year, this is a growing field with great pay and advancement opportunity. This non-credit training program provides the education and hands-on experience you need to enter this growing industry as a fiber technician.”
Before the COVID pandemic, many saw the need for fiber optics installation. After the health crisis hit the United States, it was apparent that it was essential. That is when OSUIT staff started looking at acquiring hotspots and finding people to install them. That is when the fiber optic program was born.
“MCN RIP (Reintegration Program) now independently runs their own Fiber Optics Aerial Construction program. After successfully working with OSU-IT to develop deployments within the tribe, it is now making its own economic impact through tribal sovereignty and empowering tribal members to enter the workforce,” Dinsmore said.
Dinsmore encouraged citizens to apply. While fiber optic training can cost anywhere from $10,000 for other programs, this program does not cost a cent for eligible students.
“We wanted to target underrepresented people, like women, veterans, tribal members and low income people because we wanted to tackle generational poverty, historical trauma, all of these barriers that people face. Instead of somebody that’s already in the industry coming and getting free add on training to make themselves better, it was people that had no experience in it whatsoever,” Dinsmore said.
People who do not have internet access are sometimes referred to as “unserved”. One of the benefits of going through the fiber optic program is that participants will be able to install and pay for their own internet while helping other communities.
The training will allow students to learn skills within the industry that will allow them to go straight into the workforce without further training. The program’s ultimate goal is to bridge the digital divide.
A Model Program
According to Dinsmore this program is the first of its kind in the entire country. It was recognized nationally by the NTIA and the Connecting Minority Communities pilot program. The OSUIT Fiber Optics program was personally invited to the White House for a funding allocation that President Biden made available. The allocation will provide $50 billion to fund a nationwide broadband internet deployment.
According to Dinsmore, others are looking to replicate their program’s model. What makes it unique is how it partners with local tribes within the state.
“I think our big focus is on the tribes, we’re working with several other tribes and the idea is let’s boost your workforce for your tribal members. It’s your own training program for your own tribe, it’s economic development, it’s sort of like a sovereign program. It’s really just trying to empower the tribes and we’re trying to empower the people that are going through this program as well,” Dinsmore said.
The OSU-IT Fiber Optics Program is working with tribes including Cheyenne Nation, Arapaho Nation, Cherokee Nation and MCN. They are also working with other western and northeastern tribes in Oklahoma. The program is looking to expand out of state to partner with other tribes that are located in Texas and New Mexico. Dinsmore said this is to help with tribal workforces and to aid tribes by deploying their own fiber optics networks and training programs.
“Federal level, they have said we’re looking at the tribes to set the pace for everything because they’re doing it right. I think because of the partnership with Muscogee (Creek) Nation I think we’re going to be able to show ‘this is how you do it’, I’m really happy that we’ve got Shannon here and really happy that we’ve got this relationship with the tribes. Over the next couple of years as we see all of this unfold I think that people are going to look back and say ‘yeah the tribes are really good, they proved that this is the way to do it,’” Dinsmore said.
Dinsmore and Brown discussed what they enjoy most about the program. Brown explained that he gets excited when he receives text messages from students who have gotten a splicing job or have been promoted. It is especially thrilling when he hears the excitement in the student’s voices. If a former student has any fiber optic questions, Brown is there to answer.
“I know that this program is being productive, it’s doing what it was intended to do when the students text me. They didn’t necessarily start out as a splicer but they started off in the industry and four or five months they moved up to six months. It’s getting to see people better themselves and not being judgmental but just rising above where they’re at currently and getting that little better higher paying job and that’s what excites me about this program,” Brown said.
Brown currently works at BTC broadband in Bixby and has been there for 20 years.
Dinsmore also had a few enjoyable things to say about this program, “It’s being able to eliminate barriers or those hurdles that people face to try to enter the workforce and I think this shows that it’s worth investing in and if it took using federal money to do that, to show everybody it’s worth investing in people to try to do this then I think that’s worthwhile,” Dinsmore said.
For further information about the OSU Fiber Optic Program, contact Dinsmore at 918-293-4983, or by email, brandon.dinsmore@okstate.edu.
