Workforce Evolution in the Experience Era
By Maria Popo
The broadband industry has entered a new phase, where connectivity is more than just speed and reliability—it’s about creating seamless experiences across networks and devices. Users want technology that will work everywhere, all the time. They expect networks to be reliable—and reliably fast—while enabling optimal experiences throughout all their online interactions.
To meet the evolving demand, we need a network that can anticipate and adapt to users’ needs in real time as they move between networks and applications. These experiences will be supported by sophisticated technologies like DOCSIS 4.0, advanced fiber optics like GPON, Wi-Fi 7, and 5G and future wireless access technologies.
In this uncharted “Experience Era,” the implications for both technology and business are massive.
The broadband industry is on the cusp of a significant economic boom, with projections pointing to over $300 billion in new opportunities and hundreds of thousands of new jobs. The massive opportunities bring substantial new challenges. Perhaps the greatest of these is the looming talent shortage and skills gap that could threaten business performance and economic growth.
To rise to the challenge, our industry needs a workforce evolution. To address the talent challenge, we need to make our industry more attractive for women, millennials, Gen Z, and future generations of workers. We also need to evolve how we train, upskill, and certify the evolving workforce.
Artificial intelligence, for example, is reshaping how we operate, but what excites me most is how AI will transform workforce training. Can you imagine technicians working with AI collaborators and receiving real-time certifications based on task completion? We can. We must reimagine how we attract and educate our industry to adequately prepare the workforce for tomorrow.
One of the biggest challenges is keeping pace with rapidly changing technology. SCTE is addressing this with innovative certification approaches that prioritize real-world problem-solving over traditional testing. We’re creating personalized learning paths for industry professionals, combining cutting-edge AI technologies with on-the-job experiences. This isn’t just training—it’s an entirely new way of thinking about workforce readiness.
Additionally, like a power grid that not only distributes electricity, but also ensures it reaches the right places at the right times, SCTE is evolving to strategically deploy workforce development resources exactly where and when they are most needed. Every standard and project we launch is evaluated through our GRID framework, assessing its fit and value to our operators, vendors, and strategic learning partners.
- Global and geographical alignment:
We will ensure our broadband learning ecosystem, standards, and TechExpo support both global trends and local needs, prioritizing the needs of our operators.
- Responsive talent system:
We will adapt training and talent strategies to respond to industry demands, leveraging chapters and strategic learning partners to stay current.
- Innovative educational content:
We will equip our workforce with cutting-edge knowledge and skills through advanced technologies like AI, developing innovative content based on relevant workforce research.
- Distributed chapter network:
We will use chapters as key nodes to deliver localized initiatives and foster strong networks, enhancing workforce development and employee satisfaction.
To attract and train an evolving workforce requires fresh thinking and innovation. Training is no longer just about addressing immediate skills gaps but about preparing the workforce for future challenges and opportunities. We must also work together to foster a strong talent pipeline. For SCTE, this effort begins with our members and chapters. By meeting the needs of our members and engaging our local chapters, SCTE will ensure that our industry can capitalize on the significant opportunities ahead of us. Together, we can build a more connected future.
Maria Popo
President and CEO, SCTE®
a subsidiary of CableLabs®
Maria’s journey from trade school to academia and boardrooms has been shaped by tenacity, adaptability, and lifelong learning. From customer service representative to senior executive of Global Fortune 50 Foxconn, CEO/president of Ubee Interactive Americas, leadership roles at 3Com (HP)/Ambit Microsystems/3M, and now as a technology education innovator, Maria has shown a profound ability to drive transformative growth. Popo has received recognition such as: 20 Female Founders to Watch, Cablefax Most Powerful Women in Cable, Multichannel News Women in Technology, and 8th Fastest Growing Woman-Led Company. Popo graduated from Stanford University in 2023 with a Master of Science in Education – Learning Design and Technology.
