Media Contact: Will Adams, (202) 418-2007 will.adams@fcc.gov For Immediate Release Carr Applauds New Community College Program That Expands America’s 5G Workforce Carr’s 5G Jobs Initiative Helps Extend U.S. Leadership in 5G WASHINGTON, DC, February 20, 2020—Last year, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr announced a 5G jobs initiative. His plan looks to expand America’s 5G workforce, including the tower climbers and telecom crews that build out next-generation networks. Industry estimates that it could fill another 20,000 of these good-paying jobs to complete America’s 5G builds. Meeting this workforce challenge is one of the keys to extending America’s leadership in 5G. That is why Commissioner Carr’s jobs plan looks to community colleges as pipelines to careers in the tower industry. Yesterday, Commissioner Carr traveled to Raleigh, North Carolina, and joined officials from Wake Tech Community College and Tower Engineering Professionals (TEP) as they announced their decision to stand up a tower climber program. “America’s tower techs do the hard work necessary to light up our communications networks,” Commissioner Carr said. “To extend U.S. leadership in 5G, industry estimates that will need more skilled tower techs and telecom crews than ever before. That’s why last year I announced a jobs initiative that looks to expand America’s 5G workforce. “My plan looks to community colleges and technical schools as pipelines to good-paying careers in the tower industry. I have been working with stakeholders to expand the number of programs available in this country. “The new tower climber program at Wake Tech notches another solid win in our work to expand America’s 5G workforce. By partnering with tower company TEP, Wake Tech will offer students the mix of classroom and practical skills needed to work in this expanding industry. It was an honor to join Wake Tech and TEP in Raleigh as they announced this new program.” ### Office of Commissioner Brendan Carr: (202) 418-2200 www.fcc.gov/about/leadership/brendan-carr