Robinson, Ill. — Lincoln Trail College Telecommunications Technology Lead Instructor Jesse Allen says his program is facing a unique challenge. “Right now, we’re finding that there are more jobs available than we have people in the program. This summer, I placed twelve students in internships throughout Illinois and Indiana, but I had to turn away companies that wanted interns because I didn’t have enough people to send them,” says Allen. The Telecommunications Program at Lincoln Trail College is one of the few like it in the country. Students in the program learn the skills they need to work for telecommunications companies whether it is installing phone service to a home, running cables, setting up complex corporate telephone systems or even working on DSL projects. “For us, we need our students to have basic knowledge in several different places like the outside plant, some on the inside plant, a little bit on the DSL. What we try to do is get as much of a well-rounded aspect of the whole industry. They’re not experts in everything, but they have the basics on several different aspects of the program.”
Allen says that many people just think of landline telephones when they hear telecommunications, but he says that’s far from the only thing they teach. “There’s a large demand for fiber techs because consumers want to see more speed and bandwidth when it comes to the Internet. That means companies are looking for skilled employees that can upgrade equipment to make it happen.” The program works with its Advisory Council filled with people in the industry to help keep up with the demands of employers. Some of the people that sit on the Advisory Council are graduates of the Telecommunications Technology program at LTC. Allen says the advice from the Advisory Council is crucial in how they instruct students. “If we’re not sending out our students with what they want, there’s really no reason to even be here. Things in the industry like technology and equipment change all the time. Our Advisory Council helps make sure that we’re preparing our students for those changes in the industry so our graduates are well-prepared when they begin their careers.”
Allen says a big part of his job is trying to recruit new students to the program. Lincoln Trail College filmed a commercial to highlight the program. Allen says he’s also active on Facebook where he talks about the program and posts job openings in the industry. Allen also regularly attends college and job fairs to promote the program. He’s also trying to get more students from outside the district to join the program. Allen says that some students from outside the district may be eligible for in-district tuition. There are also housing options available for students that move to Robinson to be a part of the program. “If you’re looking for a good career, this is the place to come,” says Allen. “There are jobs in the field. We have jobs for people that like to work outside and work with their hands. We have jobs for people that want to work inside and work with their hands. There are jobs for men, there are jobs for women and they’re good-paying jobs with good benefits. These are also very secure jobs.”
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/qV4ltyFeGEM