Telecommunications Technician: Officially Recognized by Dept. of Labor

December 14, 2023

The Fiber Optic Association (FOA) announced that it received confirmation from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to designate Telecommunications Technician as its own job category in the FOA’s July newsletter. This designation will take effect in early September.

Previously, communications workers – including National OnDemand fiber-optic installers and techs – have been grouped along with electrical line workers in BLS statistics.

FOA Newsletter on Telecommunications Technician

In the FOA newsletter, the association stated, “Going forward, we should be able to point people to the BLS website to explain what jobs are like in fiber and wireless, and soon have better jobs data from the Department of Labor. Having a unique job category will also help organizations like the workforce and broadband agencies in each state to define training programs when applying for broadband grants.”

The FOA stated that this change in designation took more than 20 years to achieve with the BLS. The term lineman dates back more than 100 years as a way to identify installers of aerial electrical transmission and distribution cables. When fiber-optic technicians came along, the BLS lumped them in with traditional electrical linemen.

Along those same lines, when telephone technicians were added, they too were in the same category since most of the cables were installed in the air on poles. At the time, it made sense for both to be termed “linemen” because fiber installers were following the copper telephone technicians to replace copper wires with fiber.

Finally, around 2000, the BLS asked the FOA to help it define the job of a fiber-topic technician. The two wanted to define the job of a fiber installer so it was clear there was a difference between electrical and fiber installers. It took 23 years to finally separate the two jobs for BLS purposes.

Many believe the tipping point came earlier in 2023 when $42.5 billion was earmarked for the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, furthering the need to distinguish the difference between fiber-optic aerial linemen and electrical linemen. The telecommunications industry has been talking about the shortage of fiber technicians needed to fulfill and build the broadband networks being funded with BEAD, so it was important to give these jobs their own job category.

In June, the FOA and BLS informed the association that the title Telecommunications Technician had been approved, with the new profile being released in updated employment projections data on Sept. 6, 2023. The FOA submitted revisions to the BLS job description, knowing that fiber technicians are involved in various parts of a project like designing, installing and operating a network. The dependence of wireless on fiber and in modern communications made it even more important to make the new designation.

National OnDemand, Inc. CEO Douglas Boteler said he was happy to learn of the new job category for Telecommunications Technician because it would improve the kind of data being reported when it comes to the work employees with National OnDemand perform.

This will help the Department of Labor improve its statistics, it will show people that there is a need for new workers in this industry and it will impact where funds coming from programs like BEAD get allocated

Douglas Boteler CEO of National OnDemand

“This will help the Department of Labor improve its statistics, it will show people that there is a need for new workers in this industry and it will impact where funds coming from programs like BEAD get allocated,’ Boteler said. “It will be interesting to see how the data looks once the numbers start coming into the Bureau of Labor Statistics.”

A telecommunication technician, often referred to simply as a telecom tech, is a professional responsible for designing, installing, maintaining, and repairing telecommunication equipment and systems. These systems can range from traditional telephone lines to modern broadband services, cellular networks, satellite communications, and more.

Here are some of the main responsibilities and tasks associated with the role:

1. Installation: Setting up new telecommunication systems, such as telephone lines, broadband services, and communication antennas.
2. Maintenance: Regularly inspecting and maintaining telecommunication systems to ensure they function correctly and efficiently. This might involve tasks like checking cables, replacing faulty equipment, or updating software.
3. Troubleshooting: Diagnosing and resolving any issues or malfunctions in telecommunication systems. This can range from fixing broken lines to addressing network issues.
4. Testing: After installation or repair, technicians test the lines and equipment to ensure they work as intended.
5. Documentation: Keeping detailed records of installed equipment, maintenance activities, and any identified issues. This helps in tracking system performance and planning for future maintenance or upgrades.
6. Customer Support: Assisting customers or clients with any queries or problems they might have with their telecommunication services. This could involve answering questions, providing training, or troubleshooting issues.
7. Staying Updated: The field of telecommunications is rapidly evolving. A technician must keep up to date with the latest technologies, tools, and best practices.

Telecommunication technicians might specialize in certain areas, such as fiber optics, radio and satellite communications, or network infrastructure, depending on their training and the specific needs of their employment.

The role requires a mix of technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and often a degree of physical fitness, especially when dealing with installations that require climbing or heavy lifting. Formal education in electronics, telecommunications, or a related field can be beneficial, but much of the learning often takes place on the job or through specialized courses and certifications.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) plays a critical role in tracking and analyzing job data for various professions, including telecommunications technicians, across the United States. The importance of the BLS in tracking this data includes:

1. Labor Market Analysis: The BLS provides insights into the labor market’s dynamics by detailing employment numbers, job outlook, wage data, and more for telecommunications technicians. This helps stakeholders understand the health and trends of the profession.
2. Wage Data: BLS tracks median wages, wage distributions, and regional variations, helping potential employees, employers, and policymakers understand the economic value and compensation standards of the profession.
3. Job Outlook: BLS predictions on job growth or decline can guide individuals in career choices. If the BLS forecasts a decline in a specific job sector, it might discourage newcomers from pursuing that profession and guide training institutions to modify their curriculum.
4. Education and Training: By detailing the typical education, training, and certifications required for a profession, BLS helps individuals planning their career paths understand what they need to get started or progress.
5. Informed Decision Making: Governments, private businesses, and educational institutions rely on BLS data to make informed decisions regarding policies, investments, and curriculum development.
6. Historical Context: The BLS archives historical job data, allowing for a comparison of trends over time. This can be especially crucial for academic researchers and economists analyzing changes in the labor market.
7. Safety and Health Stats: In some professions, including telecommunications, the BLS may track work-related injuries, illnesses, and safety practices, which can influence regulatory decisions and promote workplace safety.
8. Economic Planning and Policy Making: Policymakers utilize BLS data to make informed decisions on various issues, from educational funding to infrastructure development, based on the state and predictions of specific job sectors.

For professions like telecommunications technicians, which are susceptible to technological changes and evolving market demands, having accurate and up-to-date data from a trusted source like the BLS is invaluable. This data can guide both those in the profession and those responsible for training and policy decisions related to the field.