The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) has been provisionally awarded a $5 million Building the Texas Broadband Workforce Grant from the Texas Broadband Development Office. The four-year initiative is designed to prepare Texans for high-demand careers in broadband and address the state’s shortage of skilled technicians needed to expand fiber infrastructure.

The program will be implemented through the University of Houston (UH) System, with training available across four UH campuses and additional regional sites. The initiative will prioritize both urban and rural underserved communities identified as high-need areas for broadband deployment.

Texas is expected to require thousands of new workers over the next several years to meet the demands of the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The WIA-led effort aims to build a pipeline of certified fiber optic technicians to fill those roles while strengthening long-term career pathways in the state.

As the designated industry intermediary, WIA will coordinate with employers, higher education institutions, and government agencies to align training with workforce needs. The University of Houston will serve as a strategic partner, integrating the program into its existing academic framework to ensure broadband workforce development remains a permanent part of higher education in Texas.

The tuition-free program will utilize the OpTIC Path™ curriculum, a 144-hour certification program developed by the Fiber Broadband Association. Training will be offered through hands-on labs outfitted with industry-standard equipment, with graduates earning both industry-recognized credentials and academic credit applicable toward degree programs.

In addition to technical training, the program is structured to support job placement through WIA’s national employer network and partnerships with Texas-based recruiters, including Brooksource.

The initiative represents a major investment in workforce readiness as Texas advances broadband expansion statewide. More information about the Building the Texas Broadband Workforce Grant Program is available through the Texas Broadband Development Office.