Support the SCTE Foundation for a Thriving Broadband Industry
By Mark Dzuban
Taking care of industry employees in times of crisis
The SCTE Foundation plays a pivotal role in bolstering our industry, particularly in light of the recent devastation caused by hurricanes Helene and Milton. Through our Disaster Support Fund, we provide critical assistance to our broadband colleagues who have faced unimaginable losses. Unlike broader relief efforts, our fund is specifically tailored to support individuals within the cable broadband community, ensuring that 100% of donations go directly to those in need.
Currently, we have received nearly 250 applications for support, prompting us to replenish the fund twice due to overwhelming demand. Many of our colleagues are still in dire need of essentials such as food, shelter, and medical care as they recover from the storms. Tragically, we have lost at least three individuals, underscoring the urgent nature of our mission. By donating to the SCTE Foundation, you can help us continue our vital work in supporting those affected. Please consider contributing at https://sctefoundation.org/donate and selecting “Disaster Support Fund” from the drop-down menu.
Attracting new talent and reskilling and upskilling the current workforce
In addition to our immediate relief efforts, the SCTE Foundation is committed to attracting new talent and elevating the skills of our existing workforce. We are expanding access to innovative programming, including micro-credentials and certifications, and we’ve launched the new Broadband Labor Academy pilot. This initiative is designed to attract new people to our industry and train them in specialized skills such as fiber splicing, helping us cultivate a highly skilled workforce prepared to meet the growing demand for broadband services.
Investing in these programs not only benefits individual careers but also enhances your company’s talent pool. By contributing to the SCTE Foundation, you support efforts that align workforce capabilities with your company’s specific needs. We are also collaborating with organizations such as the Project Management Institute to offer project management certifications, further expanding our workforce’s capabilities. Through reskilling and upskilling, we ensure that our professionals are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in a rapidly evolving industry.
Fostering a highly skilled, diverse, and inclusive workforce
In addition to our focus on talent acquisition and skills development, we are also committed to cultivating a diverse talent pool. Our Diversity TechConnect initiative, which includes programs like our existing joint program with The WICT Network—the Women’s TechConnect—and a brand-new tech professionals’ mentoring cohort, aims to create pathways for underrepresented groups to thrive in the cable broadband sector. In addition, we’re proud to support two fellowships offered by The WICT Network: The Nomi M. Bergman Fellowship, which focuses on high-potential women working in technology companies, and the Martha Soehren Women Veterans Fellowship, aimed at high-potential women veterans employed by programming companies, operators, or technology firms. By supporting the SCTE Foundation, your company can contribute to these vital diversity efforts, helping to build a stronger and more inclusive workforce.
Transformative and innovative solutions
We also are investing in innovative solutions through our New Ideas Committee. This initiative encourages groundbreaking concepts and transformative projects that keep our industry at the forefront of technological advancement. By donating to the SCTE Foundation, your company can play a critical role in incubating these pioneering projects, ensuring that we remain competitive and innovative in a rapidly changing landscape.
A call to action
In conclusion, your support for the SCTE Foundation is crucial for strengthening our industry through disaster relief, attracting and elevating talent, and fostering diversity and innovation. By donating, you not only help us provide immediate assistance to colleagues in need but also invest in the future of our workforce and industry.
Join us in making a difference—donate today and be part of the transformative journey that shapes the future of our industry.
SCTEFoundation.org/donate
Mark Dzuban,
President and Chair of the
SCTE Foundation
With a career spanning 56 years in cable telecommunications, Mark Dzuban is now serving the industry as President and Chair of the SCTE Foundation. Dzuban has been named a Cable TV Pioneer, Cable Center Innovation Laureate, Cablefax Top 100 industry executive, and has received the Vanguard Award for Cable Operations Management. During his tenure as SCTE President and CEO, Dzuban was instrumental in transforming the organization into a recognized applied science leader in workforce education, standards, energy management and other areas. He also led the visionary move to combine forces with CableLabs® to further drive the industry forward, bringing the entire business cycle—ideation to implementation—under one umbrella. With a passion for disaster resilience stemming from his military service in Korea, Dzuban founded the NOS Working Group on Business Continuity Planning and Disaster Recovery, where he continues to lead efforts in establishing standards and operational practices to ensure rapid response and recovery from natural and man-made disasters.
