Wisconsin’s Skilled Broadband Workforce is Ready for Leaders to Take Action

In 2021, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which included $42.45 billion committed to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. This once-in-a-generation investment in states was intended to expand access to broadband and to develop the workforce required to make this expansion possible. Recognizing the opportunity at hand, WRTP | BIG STEP, an established workforce intermediary in Wisconsin and leader of the Wisconsin SkillSPAN coalition, founded the Wisconsin Broadband Workforce Coalition. National Skills Coalition supported this effort through its vision: build a resilient and diverse broadband workforce that would both meet employers’ needs and expand access to high-quality career pathways that support residents’ economic mobility. The group positioned Wisconsin to act by expanding industry-sector partnerships, growing apprenticeship programs, and increasing access to support services. Wisconsin is now ready to deliver a pipeline of skilled local residents who meet the needs of broadband employers – if the state channels federal funds wisely.