Contact Us
If you are interested in participating in the 5G Readiness Pilot Program, or for additional informational information, please email us at 5G@ashland.edu.
Apply
- Complete the inquiry application
- Complete the 60-minute interest assessment called MyInnerGenius and send your results to: 5G@ashland.edu
- You will receive an email within 48 hours with your acceptance into the program, or indication that you were not accepted or have been placed on the waiting list. If you are accepted into the program, you will be sent a link to complete the official registration form.
- When you’ve completed the official registration form, you will receive an email with information about the program, the instructors, the course content, and how to get started with the first self-paced e-learning modules. Now, get excited to start learning and then look for a welcome box surprise delivered to you in the next few weeks!
How much? FREE! The Office of Workforce Transformation, through a grant received by Ashland University, will be covering the tuition for the first cohort of 25 students.
Career Opportunities
The following is a sample of the jobs available within this industry:
"Cognitive" Jobs
- Precision agriculture software developer
- Remote construction database developer
- Smart grid analyst
- Digital manufacturing platform developer
- Mobile logistics analyst
- Online learning platform specialist
- Health cloud information security specialist
- Government database privacy specialist
"Cognitive Physical" Skilled Jobs
- Field sensor technician
- Construction drone operator
- Household smart meter maintenance
- Robotics maintenance
- Autonomous vehicle maintenance
- Elementary-high school telecom help desk
- Telehealth installer
- Tactical communications specialist
- Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer
- Distributed Antenna System (DAS) Design Engineer
- Drive Test Data Analyst
- IoT Engineer
- Edge and Cloud Analyst
- Wi-Fi Design Engineer
- Wireless Systems Engineer
- Field Design Engineer
- Drive Test Technician
- Small Cell Technician
- Fiber Optic Technician
- Wi-Fi Installation Technician
- Telecom Project Manager
- Wireless Technician
“Today, the median wage for telecommunications equipment installers and repairers is 45 percent higher than the overall median wage, according to figures from the BLS. As 5G becomes an integral part of business operations, we would expect such jobs to become more valuable rather than less.” - Source: Progressive Policy Institute
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bureau of Economic Analysis
Illustrative Example of Career Path within the Wireless Industry
It is not uncommon in the wireless industry for employees to start at the technician level and then progress to better paying mid and upper-management positions as they acquire additional training, education, and experience. One example is the case of a Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer, who may start with limited skills (Drive Test Technician I) and progress to an RF Engineering position, then on to a senior engineering or management position (e.g. RF Manager) where responsibilities include managing an entire market, region or nationwide deployment. The following is a list of position levels and examples of the responsibilities at each level:
Drive Test Technician I: Collect data from existing or test cell sites. Requires minimal training to operate equipment. Must be able to drive a planned route while data is collected. Salary: $35K- $40K
Drive Test Technician II: Collects data from existing or test cell sites. Should be familiar with equipment operation. Must have some technical training (engineering background desired) to be able to plan routes for testing. Can also test indoor equipment (walk-testing). Requires Associate’s degree or 2-3 years of experience. Salary: $45K-$55K
Drive Test Data Engineer (Entry Level): Receives data from drive test technicians, imports data into propagation tools/analysis tools. Runs analyses using tools to assist in deployment planning. Must be trained to operate tools, etc. Prior training required. 2 years of experience as Drive Test Tech II. Bachelor’s degree desired. Salary: $55K-$65K
Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer I and II: Receives data from drive test technicians, imports data into propagation tools/analysis tools. Runs analyses using tools and responsible for proper site design. Should be familiar with propagation and data analysis tools. Be able to translate physical changes at the cell site into optimization software. Be able to create RF Data Sheets and plumbing diagrams. Must have a Bachelor's degree as well as 2 years of experience. Salary: $65K-$75K for Level I and $75K-$85K for Level II.
Sr. RF Deployment Engineer: Reviews analyses of other engineers and is responsible for proper site design across the deployment area. Expert in using tools and understands required procedures for site deployment. Must have a Bachelor's degree as well as ≤ 5 years of experience. Salary: $90K-$105K
RF Manager: Responsible for RF operation for the deployment. Directs growth and planning. Manages all aspects of the RF engineering team. Must have a Bachelor's degree. MS/MBA degree, as well as managerial experience. Salary ≥ $120K
Course Overview
Course Overview
The training will lead to the competencies required to understand, plan, and implement telecommunications solutions, including mobile broadband and 5G. It also introduces different career pathways toward long and successful careers in wireless. The 5G Readiness training aligns with classroom training requirements for occupations under the Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP). WIA is the national sponsor of TIRAP, which has 63 employer sponsors nationwide.
Program Features
- Receive a nationally recognized credential from WIA, the world’s leading authority in wireless
- 80 hours of industry-validated training material including hands-on exercises
- Leads to competencies required to design and deploy broadband infrastructure, including mobile broadband, 5G and fiber
- Master theoretical concepts through hands-on exercises
- Access to course hand-outs and instructor guided quizzes
- Connection to regional and national companies
- Visit to a live 5G Cell Site at the end of the training program
Course Topics
- Fundamentals of Wireless Communications
- Cell Site Design and Planning
- 5G Applications and Standards
- Private Wireless Network Deployment
- Role of Fiber for Wireless Systems
- Wi-Fi Integration; RF Awareness and Safety
- Hardware components of cell towers
- Troubleshooting of Wireless Systems
- Site visit to a live 5G Cell Site
Overview of 5G and WIA
Overview of 5G and WIA Introduction
In telecommunications, 5G is the fifth generation technology standard for broadband cellular networks, 5G networks have started being deployed worldwide in 2019. 5G is the planned successor to the 4G networks which provide connectivity to most current cell phones. 5G networks are predicted to have more than 1.7 billion subscribers worldwide by 2025, according to the Global System for Mobile Communications Association. 5G networks are cellular networks, in which the service area is divided into small geographical areas called cells. All 5G wireless devices in a cell are connected to the Internet and telephone network by radio waves through a local antenna in the cell. These new networks will have greater bandwidth, giving higher download speeds, eventually up to 10 gigabits per second (Gbit/s). Due to the increased bandwidth, it is expected the networks will increasingly be used as general internet service providers (ISPs) for laptops and desktop computers, competing with existing ISPs such as cable internet, and will make it possible for new applications to be developed (i.e. in internet-of-things (IoT) and machine-to-machine areas). The National Spectrum Consortium and the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) unveiled groundbreaking research that finds that the 5G revolution will create 4.6 million jobs through 2034 as part of a new wave of mobility and innovation. Additionally, the study finds that current 5G build-out and engineering activities have created 106,000 jobs as of April/May 2020, helping in a modest way to offset the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.
WIA’s Telecommunications Education Center (TEC)is the industry’s leading resource for wireless education and training. WIA’s “5G-Readiness” training equips students with the competencies required to design and deploy broadband infrastructure, including mobile broadband, 5G and fiber. It consists of 80 hours of industry-validated training material including hands-on exercises. Students will have the opportunity to visit a live 5G cell site at the end of the program where they can see cellular and wireless theories come to life.
The training has been designed by 5G subject matter experts from the industry and academia. Participants will earn “5G Readiness” certificate from WIA that bundles more than ten industry-recognized certificates from WIA’s Telecommunications Education Center.
News
Ohio Lt. Governor Husted announces local initiative to grow broadband and 5G jobs
Husted announced the launch of the Broadband and 5G Sector Partnership Grant application, as well as the launch of 5G Readiness Programs at Youngstown State University and Ashland University.
Broadband Ohio
Ohio has committed $500 million to create 1250 jobs, train new 5G/Broadband workers and ensure Ohio has universal broadband access across the state.
Ashland University
The Ashland University College of Online and Adult Studies is piloting a new 5G Readiness training program to equip new workers.
