Federal Communications Commission DA 22-46 DA 22-46 Released: January 14, 2022 FCC ANNOUNCES ESTABLISHMENT AND MEMBERSHIP OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP By this Public Notice, Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announces, in partnership with Secretary of Labor Martin J. Walsh, the establishment of the Telecommunications Interagency Working Group (“Working Group”), a group formed pursuant to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pub. L. 117-58, § 60602(a), 135 Stat. 429 (Nov. 15, 2021) (to be codified at 47 U.S.C. § 344) (“Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act”). Chairwoman Rosenworcel and Secretary Walsh established this interagency working group, effective January 14, 2022, under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act “to develop recommendations to address the workforce needs of the telecommunications industry, including the safety of that workforce.” Id. The Working Group will present its recommendations in a report to Congress that must be submitted no later than January 14, 2023, which is one year from the date the Working Group was established. Id. Pursuant to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Working Group is comprised of representatives of Federal agencies (the FCC, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the Department of Education), as well as representatives from industry, labor, and other stakeholder organizations. Chairwoman Rosenworcel appointed five members, Secretary Walsh appointed four members, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona appointed two members, and Evelyn Remaley, performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, appointed one member to the Working Group. A full list of members to this Working Group is attached to this Public Notice. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act directs the Working Group to develop recommendations that will: “(1) determine whether, and if so how, any Federal laws, regulations, guidance, policies, or practices, or any budgetary constraints, may be amended to strengthen the ability of institutions of higher education . . . or for-profit businesses to establish, adopt, or expand programs intended to address the workforce needs of the telecommunications industry, including the workforce needed to build and maintain the 5G wireless infrastructure necessary to support 5G wireless technology; “(2) identify potential policies and programs that could encourage and improve coordination among Federal agencies, between Federal agencies and States, and among States, on telecommunications workforce needs; “(3) identify ways in which existing Federal programs, including programs that help facilitate the employment of veterans and military personnel transitioning into civilian life, could be leveraged to help address the workforce needs of the telecommunications industry; “(4) identify ways to improve recruitment in workforce development programs in the telecommunications industry; “(5) identify Federal incentives that could be provided to institutions of higher education, for-profit businesses, State workforce development boards . . . or other relevant stakeholders to establish or adopt new programs, expand current programs, or partner with registered apprenticeship programs, to address the workforce needs of the telecommunications industry, including such needs in rural areas; “(6) identify ways to improve the safety of telecommunications workers, including tower climbers; and “(7) identify ways that trends in wages, benefits, and working conditions in the telecommunications industry impact recruitment of employees in the sector.” Id. For more information, please contact Stacy Ferraro at 202-418-0795 or Stacy.Ferraro@fcc.gov, or Paul D’Ari at 202-418-1550 or Paul.Dari@fcc.gov. MEMBERS OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP Amy Brett Acting Chief of Staff Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Federal Communications Commission Representative of the Federal Communications Commission, appointed by the Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission J. Noah Brown Senior Advisor Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education Department of Education Representative of the Department of Education, appointed by the Secretary of Education Kathy Gill Chief Executive Officer Tower Safety Public Interest Advocate for Tower Climber Safety, appointed by the Secretary of Labor Tim House Executive Vice President Wireless Infrastructure Association Representative of a Telecommunications Industry Association, appointed by the Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission Scott Ketcham Director Occupational Safety and Health Administration Directorate of Construction Representative of the Directorate of Construction of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, appointed by the Secretary of Labor Leticia Latino van Splunteren Chief Executive Officer Neptuno USA, Corp. Representative of a Telecommunications Contractor Firm, appointed by the Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission Scott Ralls President Wake Technical Community College Representative of an Institution of Higher Education, appointed by the Secretary of Education Christopher Shelton President Communications Workers of America Representative of a Labor Organization Representing the Telecommunications Workforce, appointed by the Secretary of Labor Chris Shilling Undersecretary of Technology & Innovation The Chickasaw Nation Representative of an Indian Tribe, appointed by the Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission Jim Simpson Director of Installer-Technician (Telecommunications) and Residential Curriculum electrical training ALLIANCE Representative of a Registered Apprenticeship Program in Construction or Maintenance, appointed by the Secretary of Labor Bruce Washington Chief of Staff Office of Spectrum Management National Telecommunications and Information Administration Representative of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, appointed by the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Kristi Westbrock Chief Executive Officer & General Manager Consolidated Telecommunications Company Representative of a Rural Telecommunications Carrier, appointed by the Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission 2