Demand for broadband technicians on the rise

RITZVILLE – Adams County Public Works Director Todd O’Brien stressed the need for broadband technicians in the years ahead during the March 26 meeting of the Adams County commissioners,

O’Brien and the commissioners discussed the technical requirements of installing fiber-optic cable in Ritzville, Lind and Othello, and noted that cable will need to be laid under existing utility lines in some instances.

Commissioner Dan Blankenship asked whether cables placed beneath underground utilities might need to be spliced in the future. He specifically inquired about potential maintenance issues should existing sewer lines fail or need repair.

“If fiber-optic cables need to be pulled out because they’re under sewer lines, does anybody on the county payroll know how to splice fiber optic cables,” he asked.

O’Brien noted that the county lacks employees with that skill set.

He added that young people looking for a future career in the trades might consider becoming fiber technicians, workers who know how to splice and maintain the type of cables used in broadband.

O’Brien and Blankenship said government at all levels will likely prioritize broadband networks into the foreseeable future. As a result, demand for fiber-optic skills is expected to be significant.