Innovations…Broadband-style
Robinson, Ill. — Lincoln Trail College’s unique Broadband Telecom program is growing in new and innovative ways.
As part of its continuing commitment to serve both student and community needs, Lincoln Trail College will begin offering specialized training to employees of Metronet, an Indiana-based broadband communications company. The classes begin in April and will be taught monthly on the Lincoln Trail campus by faculty in the school’s Broadband Technology program.
Dean of Instruction David Carpenter sees the collaboration as a natural fit. “The uniqueness of our broadband program, the only one of its kind among community colleges in Illinois, pairs nicely with the training requirements of an industry leader like Metronet whose 100% fiber optic network is equally unique. We believe this relationship will offer long-term benefits to all involved.”
Kevin Stelmach, Metronet General Manager adds, “Metronet is very pleased and excited to enter into this partnership with Lincoln Trail College. We are extremely confident it will prove to be of great value to the students, school, as well as our company.”
Lead instructor Jesse Allen says the program regularly works with corporate partners. Several companies have donated equipment to the program. Allen says that allows LTC to teach students with the latest technology available, something that might not be possible without help from the industry.
Business and industry connections also help drive the program. Telecom industry leaders make up an advisory council that helps make sure LTC’s Broadband Telecom program is providing students with quality instruction that also meets the needs of the industry.
In the last year, the Broadband Telecom program went through a rebranding based off of recommendations from the advisory council. “The industry has evolved beyond just telephone service,” said program lead instructor Jesse Allen. “High speed Internet really drives the industry and more phone providers have expanded their offerings into voice, video and data.”
The rebranding of Broadband Telecom also included some changes in classes. For example, students now take classes dealing with topics like cellular services and wireless Internet. There’s also more concentration on fiber optics.
Allen says the strong industry ties really help students. After finishing their first year in the program, students have the opportunity to do an internship. Allen says right now, they have more companies asking for interns than they have students in the program.
Those options continue as students prepare to graduate from the program. “I get several calls each week from people looking to fill jobs,” says Allen. “It used to be that you might have to go four or five states away to get a job, but now you can usually find jobs within a couple of hours of here.”
Allen says one of the reasons why LTC students are able to succeed is because they learn a wide variety of operations.
Meanwhile, the Broadband Telecom program is looking at different ways to get new students. Ten high school students are going through a dual credit program. The high school students spend time learning about topics like computer networking and cable splicing. Allen says high school students can learn enough in the class that they might be able to work at an internship after their senior year of high school.
LTC has also put together a Broadband Telecom Preview Day on April 29. Prospective students will get the chance to talk with students in the program and they’ll have the chance to get a hands-on look at the program. Several stations will be set up where students can try out some of the same skills they will learn in the program.