L&D Experience Expands and Technical Training Theater Debuts
By Robin Fenton
The week of October 16-23, SCTE® Cable-Tec Expo® is celebrating its 40th anniversary in Denver, Colorado! You can expect an EXPOnential expansion of the L&D Experience, the debut of a new training venue on the show floor, and an award-worthy celebration.
Technical Training Theater
We are also excited to introduce our new Technical Training Theater (T³). We hope attendees will enhance their educational experiences at SCTE Cable-Tec Expo by attending presentations in the T3, a space uniquely created to provide hands-on technical training and presentations to help bring products and solutions to life in an educational theater setting. Each session is up to 90 minutes in length and filled with actionable insights for today’s workforce.
T³ is not only the abbreviation for the Technical Training Theater, but it also represents the three pillars of technical excellence: training, teamwork, and talent.
Connecting learners, fostering innovation, and driving collaboration
For several years, the L&D Experience has been guiding Expo attendees through new ways of thinking about learning and development. With the rapid pace of technological advancements in our industry, it’s essential that our workforce is prepared. Attendees are encouraged to join the L&D Experience to learn from industry experts, explore topics in-depth, participate in micro-learning sessions, and collaborate on a new way forward using the latest tools and techniques.
We are kicking off this year’s L&D Experience with an invite-only “Join the Journey: Behind the Scenes with L&D’s Cutting-Edge Initiatives!” session on Monday October 16th at 3:00 p.m. Participants will have the chance to learn about the latest tools and innovations that are transforming the future of the learner experience and will help take their knowledge to the next level and get and stay ahead of the competition.
On Tuesday afternoon, October 17th in T3, you don’t want to miss the L&D Keynote session as SCTE’s Jill Banks sits down for a fireside chat with Dr. Karl Kapp, professor of instructional design and technology at Bloomsburg University, co-founder of a digital card game company and founder of the Learning and Development Mentor Academy. Recognized internationally as a pioneer in innovative learning designs, Dr. Kapp literally wrote the book on the gamification of learning and instruction as well as books on microlearning and instructional design for the metaverse. He will share his expertise on enhancing individual skills, acquiring knowledge, and fostering personal and professional development. The discussion will explore innovative approaches to learning and uncovering opportunities for continuous improvement, designed to help participants understand the significance of workplace relationships and the importance of a collaborative environment. In this interactive session, the audience will be encouraged to ask Dr. Kapp questions relating to their own experiences and challenges. We hope you’ll take advantage of this opportunity to gain practical ideas and strategies to foster meaningful connections, effective collaboration, and innovative thinking, and hear from one of the preeminent voices in L&D on how to create engaging learning experiences through intelligent, research-based application of games, gamification, and meaningful learner activities.
Immediately following the fireside chat with Dr. Kapp, I encourage you to stick around at T3 for an interactive panel of some of the best leaders in the industry. “Future-Proofing the Workforce: Strategies for Success in Our Competitive, Rapidly-Evolving Tech Industry” will be an engaging session where participants can hear about effective learning and development programs and tools to enhance the learning experience, improve knowledge retention, and ultimately help companies gain a competitive edge through investing in and developing their people. Panelists will share how they navigated various challenges to not only prepare and develop the workforce but also attract and retain new talent.
On Wednesday, October 18th at 3 p.m., we will be hosting the invite-only “L&D Workforce Development Collaboration Roundtables”. In this invigorating World Café-style session, participants will have the opportunity to work with fellow experts in the industry to help find innovative solutions to real-world challenges. Attendees will gain invaluable experience by collaborating with some of the brightest minds in the industry.
Also this year, Expo attendees will have the opportunity to try out SCTE’s new NetworkSim® 2.0! Providing real life experiences in 3D-simulated environments that bridge the gap between eBook knowledge and actual application, this dynamic simulation gives learners the chance to virtually perform tasks just as they would in the field.
Let the games begin!
Since 1991, the International SCTE Cable-Tec Games have been an Expo tradition where the best cable technicians from around the world come to compete and showcase their skills. This year, we’re proud to host the International Cable-Tec Games on the show floor in T3. On Thursday, October 19th, our new Technical Training Theater is where the magic happens. This is where our technical workforce hones their skills and knowledge to become champions in their respective fields. Join us and experience the thrill of the International Cable-Tec Games and see for yourself why T³ is the place to train, compete, and excel!
If you are new to Expo or just want a refresher on the competition that’s in store, the Games are a culmination of seven categories: cable splicing, meter reading, cable jeopardy, OTDR, fiber splicing, drop connection and MTDR. For each category, the best cable technicians from around the globe compete against one another to showcase their skills to ultimately win a gold, silver or bronze award.
Throughout the year, members of the various SCTE Chapters and Meeting Groups host their own local Cable-Tec Games. The winners of each chapter get the chance to represent their region at the International SCTE Cable-Tec Games at Expo!
Time to celebrate!
40 years of connecting, collaborating and innovating at Expo deserves a party! So, we are taking the SCTE Awards & Recognition to new heights. On Wednesday evening October 18th starting at 6:00 p.m. MT, we will be hosting the SCTE Awards and 40th Anniversary of Expo Celebration where we’ll shine a spotlight on our industry and the remarkable individuals who provide technical leadership and innovation to advance our industry’s connectivity, content and more. We look forward to joining you for an amazing evening focused on our member community.
In the cable telecommunications industry, the expertise and skills of the technical workforce are crucial to keeping the world connected and the industry running smoothly. Nowadays, it is increasingly difficult for companies to attract new technical professionals and upskill the current workforce to keep pace with innovation. Expo provides ample opportunities to showcase the skills of technicians, engineers, and other technical professionals to attract new talent to join the industry. We hope you will take advantage of the hands-on technical training at T3 and L&D Experience presentations designed to educate the educators.
Celebrate 40 years of SCTE Cable-Tec Expo with us. We are looking forward to seeing you in Denver!
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Robin Fenton,
Vice President, Membership & Learning Operations,
SCTE®, a subsidiary of CableLabs®
Robin Fenton is the vice president of membership and learning operations at SCTE®, a subsidiary of CableLabs® and the nonprofit member organization leading the acceleration and deployment of cable telecommunications technology. Fenton’s team develops and facilitates industry certifications and training courses for professionals at all levels of the cable industry.
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