Education to Support Workforce Innovation
By Dr. Jeffrey Horne
As technology evolves, so must the way we educate and train the broadband workforce. SCTE has long been committed to aligning learning and workforce development with industry standards, ensuring that professionals have the skills they need to succeed and move the broadband industry forward. We are embarking on the expansion of SCTE’s learning partner ecosystem, strengthening collaborations with educational institutions and content providers to deliver emerging industry-relevant training and tools to our members.
Together, we will shape the future of workforce development by expanding learning partnerships and enhancing industry training opportunities.
Centralized knowledge and educational evolution
There is a wealth of institutional knowledge that exists in the broadband industry, and SCTE is developing a centralized knowledge base where insights from members, chapters, vendors, and operators converge to distribute information throughout the industry. With a comprehensive and evolving industry view, we can share best practices and evolve learning experiences to meet the current and future needs of the industry.
Skills are the commodity of any industry, and we have been connecting with all the operators to understand where talent gaps exist within the workforce currently and identify projected future gaps. Skills drive performance, and by enhancing critical skills across the industry, we collaboratively drive the organizational goals of the member companies we serve. We are also evolving offerings to be more targeted at assessing skills and providing feedback quickly. That includes meeting a learner’s needs in the moment because we have technology that can allow individuals to get answers to their questions immediately or provide feedback on their performance in real time as they practice skills. These are technologies that are evolving rapidly that we can leverage to credential and upskill the workforce.
Education aligned with industry standards
SCTE is also redefining its educational offerings to ensure alignment with the technologies shaping connectivity. Grounded in SCTE standards and CableLabs specifications, our updated programs provide measurable value.
Streamlined learning paths will provide foundational training delivered by partners, advanced courses led by SCTE, and hands-on bootcamps that address HFC, fiber, wireless, and emerging technologies. Work is also underway to realign certifications with career pathways to validate actionable skills that meet industry needs. Additionally, SCTE will be leveraging insights from learning development representatives, who will play a key role in supporting members and partners by ensuring efficient engagement while also driving awareness of SCTE’s educational offerings.
Certified to succeed
SCTE certifications, rooted in ANSI-accredited standards, equip professionals with the skills to navigate emerging technologies while driving operational excellence. ANSI-accredited standards ensure technologies and operations meet rigorous quality benchmarks, foster interoperability and align with global best practices, and these benefits directly enhance the value of SCTE certifications. From fiber growth to DOCSIS® technology advancements, these certifications prepare individuals and teams to meet the demands of today’s networks and build the future of connectivity. Certifications based on these standards ensure that professionals can reliably perform under varying conditions, consistently delivering quality outcomes.
For organizations, certified teams deliver measurable value. And for employees, upskilling can improve their chances of career advancement.
SCTE certifications not only prepare professionals to succeed but also empower our industry to meet the challenges of tomorrow. For technicians and engineers alike, this means increased efficiency on the job, with streamlined processes that reduce downtime and operational risks.
Partnerships to power skill development
In addition to the assimilation of best practices, learning opportunities, and credentialing, SCTE has a keen focus on establishing a sustainable, high-quality partner ecosystem that expands access to broadband-focused training. SCTE will collaborate with a variety of institutions to develop course structures that are innovative, engaging, and effective across the industry. We are working to identify key strategic partnerships to expand content offerings within the SCTE learning library. Credentialing, upskilling, and even reskilling the workforce will help us continue to power innovation as the broadband industry continues to evolve.
Dr. Jeffrey Horne,
Director of Educational Partnerships at SCTE®,
a subsidiary of CableLabs®
Jeffrey Horne, Ed.D., is Director of Educational Partnerships at the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE®), a subsidiary of CableLabs®. With more than 15 years in the learning industry, he specializes in leading cross-functional teams in developing targeted learning experiences and strategies that drive behavior change and organizational results. Past work includes educational and certification program development for Edward Jones, Coursera, Microsoft, Meta, the University of Michigan, Claremont Graduate University and others.
