Building Alabama’s Future: ACCS Expands Fiber Optic Training

The Alabama Community College System’s Innovation Center diligently works to fulfill the popular demands of business and industry in Alabama, offering rapid, industry-recognized credentialed training through its Skills for Success program and hosted by the state’s community colleges. 

Fiber optic technician and installer training has been among the most successful Skills for Success programs since it was introduced, enrolling more than 2,500 individuals, and complementing Alabama Governor Kay Ivey’s initiative to expand high-speed internet across the state. 

Brantley native Parker Odom is among those individuals. 

Odom, 24, earned a bachelor’s degree in applied health sciences at a four-year university after initially taking dual enrollment courses in high school though Lurleen B. Wallace Community College (LBW) in Andalusia. 

Odom worked for industrial suppliers after graduation and thrived. However, he didn’t find satisfaction in certain areas of his career. 

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“I didn’t like sitting behind the desk for most of the day. I felt I hit a wall because I like to be outside and work with my hands,” Odom said.    

Odom took a career gamble and attended fiber optic training courses, hosted by LBW. Upon completion of the course, Odom had a new job offer in less than a month.  

“I immediately enjoyed the course once I took it. It challenged my critical thinking and motor skills. I knew between that and being able to work with my hands it was a good fit,” Odom said. “I was nervous about not liking it and potentially losing a steady job I previously had, but it’s been a great decision. You can’t dwell on bad outcomes. You’ve got to go for it.” 

Odom is currently working in Ozark, contracted as a drop install technician for Heritage FG, a Chattanooga, Tennessee-based company. 

Among other duties, Odom’s job consists of bringing the fiber optic line from the pole to inside a customer’s home and installing the broadband equipment. 

“This is a career I envision myself enjoying for a long time. It’s very rewarding,” Odom said. 

Fiber optic technical and installer training has been among the popular Skills for Success programs at LBW. 

According to LBW Workforce Coordinator Jeanni Sanders, the college has hosted 18 fiber optic labs and 78 high school students since its debut. Labs are offered at high schools and at local businesses for those interested, including on the weekends.   

Like most Skills for Success courses, fiber optic technician installer training is initially offered online, so individuals can work at their own pace. Upon completing the online portion, students complete lab work at an Alabama community college. Fiber optic training covers best practices and fundamental principles behind basic data and voice transmission via fiber optic cable, as well as installation and termination techniques. Students learn how to identify fiber types, recognize various connectors used in fiber installation and install, terminate, splice and test multimode or single-mode fiber optic networks according to existing standards. Skills such as customer service, communication, leadership and attention to detail and time management are taught. 

Andy Willis, Director of Telecom Services for Covington Electric Co-Op and Buzz Broadband, is grateful the fiber optic training has been available for those in the Andalusia area. His company has sponsored training opportunities at LBW.  

“Fiber optic training is a very specialized field. It’s vital to us to hire people from this community. The labs are a great way to learn if a student is interested in the field. They learn how to splice fiber optic cables and how to put fiber ends on them. They’re learning about the actual fiber and connection,” Willis said.   

Lurleen B. Wallace and the Covington County School District have maintained a steady partnership for nearly a decade. The Skills for Success trainings offered at the college, including fiber optics, have benefitted students from four high schools. 

“Skills for Success has already been very positive for our community, and we’re thankful LBW and Covington Electric partnered to help offer fiber optics for our students. Our students don’t realize they have a skill until we present it to them. They want a future. You can take an ounce of inspiration and motivate a mile of potential,” said Chris Thomasson, the Career Tech and Federal Program Director for the Covington County School District.

For more information about fiber optics and other training opportunities available through the ACCS Innovation Center, visit https://innovation.accs.edu/skills-for-success/

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