Free broadband, CDL training

FREMONT — No-cost training opportunities are available at Terra State Community College for those who have experienced job loss due to COVID-19. In partnership with OhioMeansJobs and Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP), Terra State will offer a Broadband Construction Training program beginning March 18. Students will learn basic construction principles, safety and other skills needed for careers in the construction and maintenance of fiber optic networks. Additionally, Terra State in partnership with OhioMeansJobs, GLCAP, and Trainco will offer a three-week Commercial Driver's License (CDL) course for students seeking careers in the trucking industry. The course covers rural, urban and interstate driving; DOT regulations; shifting nine-speed and ten-speed transmissions; and more. Course times and dates will depend on the number of interested participants who apply. "Trainings offer students a chance to learn skills for jobs that pay well and are in demand," GLCAP Workforce Outreach Advocate Lucille Phillips said. "The courses can also help give a new start to people whose careers were affected by the pandemic." The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects both broadband industry and truck-driving careers to experience growth through 2032. According to BLS 2022 statistics, median wages for truck drivers were $24 per hour, while telecommunications technicians and line installers respectively averaged $28.94 and $39.59 per hour. Details are available by calling 1-800-775-9767 or visiting www.glcap.org/training.