The Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers and the SCTE Foundation announced they have teamed with Comcast and Georgia Tech Professional Education to help transitioning members of the armed forces who are looking for opportunities in cable telecommunications.
Carol Eggert, vice president, military and veteran Affairs for Comcast and Brigadier General (R), U.S. Army, tells CED that the partnership will help connect military talent to the cable industry very early in their transition process — perhaps even before they have any possibility to become unemployed as a civilian. She underlines that veterans from all service branches make excellent job candidates since they are motivated, talented and have strong teamwork and critical thinking skill sets built-in.
SCTE President and CEO Mark Dzuban, who is a veteran himself, says this a project near and dear to him. He stresses that the deep pool of skilled and well-trained military talent would be a huge asset to cable, and the SCTE/Comcast/GTPE partnership could lead to opportunities for veterans where there’s “literally not a day where they’re unemployed.”
Comcast has entered into a pilot training partnership with GTPE’s Veterans Education Training and Transition (VET2) program to recruit and train two initial groups of up to 20 participants each for cable telecommunications engineering careers. Launched in 2013, VET2 maintains a 100 percent job offer rate for service members completing the program.
Comcast is using the program to identify, engage and offer training and internship opportunities to high-potential transitioning service members, enabling new career paths for program participants and a source of highly trained individuals for the cable workforce. The seven-month process includes student selection and pre-certification, self-paced SCTE online training, and an internship that combines academics and practical experience. Up to 40 participants with multiple years of military experience in communications or IT-related areas will be selected.
Initial student screening and pre-certification are being conducted by Georgia Tech Professional Education for service members residing in close proximity to Fort Gordon, Fort Stewart and Warner Robins Air Force Base. Beginning in Q2 of this year, students in the first class will complete the online training and certification for either field technician or headend technician tracks.
The differences between being in the service and developing a career in the civilian arena can be a deceptive challenge. That’s why the program includes a focus on the difference between working in the military and corporate world, Pam Nobles, SCTE senior director of education and certification, learning and development, points out.
Students who gain certification will advance to a second phase that includes additional VET2 training and Comcast internships during Q3. The vets will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with Comcast and the differences between military and civilian organization structures. They’ll also have access to socialization around the “entry experience” as a new hire.
Communication training including interpersonal communication modes and conflict management will be offered, as will be a presentation that enables participants to refine interview skills and present what they’ve learned during the internship.
