A new interactive 5G broadband teaching lab in the University of Dayton School of Engineering, funded in part by $4.26 million from the state of Ohio, will help train a workforce to develop a 5G broadband infrastructure in 12 Ohio counties.
"Our vision for the next three to five years, with Sinclair Community College, the Miami Valley Community Action Partnership and Greater Ohio Workforce Board, is to raise awareness about exciting career opportunities in the 5G sector," University of Dayton School of Engineering Dean Gül Kremer said. "Together, we'll develop state-of-the-art teaching systems and hands-on learning areas for training at all levels — technicians, associate degree, undergraduate and graduate students. Training will be offered as microcredits, certificate programs or as part of regular courses."
Sinclair Community College received funding for a wireless communications lab at its Centerville campus. The grant will kickstart the fiber optic technician program at Sinclair and UD and help both become Fiber Optic Association Inc.-approved schools.
The Miami Valley Community Action Partnership and Greater Ohio Workforce Board Inc. will help connect students looking for training to enter the 5G broadband workforce and support the deployment of 5G broadband to every household in Ohio.
In addition to the fiber optic technician program, students can receive certifications in the first four levels of 5G readiness and as radio frequency/microwave engineers. Students also can complete the Occupational Safety and Health Association's 10-hour certification and CPR/First Aid training. Courses will cover transmission lines, circuit design and manufacturing, signal generation, amplifiers and other 5G technologies.
Students interested in learning more about participating in the initiative can contact Colleen Bretland, co-leader of the project and the School of Engineering executive director of strategic partnership and experiential learning, at cbretland1@udayton.edu. More details can be found here.
For interviews, contact Shawn Robinson, associate director of news and communications, at 937-229-3391 or srobinson1@udayton.edu.