PANGAEA is a nonprofit internet service provider in Polk and Rutherford Counties and is offering two scholarships to attend fiber optic splicing training on Dec. 14 – 17, 2015 in Spartanburg S.C. Visit http://www.pangaea.us/pangaea-scholarship-program-and-application/ to learn more and apply by Nov. 13, 2015.

There is a shortage of fiber optic splicing technicians to serve rural areas, like Polk and Rutherford Counties, N.C. This shortage impacts the ability of PANGAEA and other internet service providers to install, maintain, and repair the fiber optic infrastructure required to bridge the digital divide and bring high speed internet to rural communities. This program will provide scholarships for The Light Brigade’s Fiber Optics 1-2-3 training course as well as fiber optic certification.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the demand for fiber optic splicing positions will be strong during the next five years. According to www.payscale.com, the average salary for fiber optic splicers ranges from $31,000 – $86,000 annually. The average annual pay is $56,000 or $26/hour according to www.indeed.com.

PANGAEA will provide two $750 scholarships to attend the four day Fiber Optic 1-2-3 training course to be held on Dec. 14 – 17, 2015 in Spartanburg, S.C. The total cost of the program plus certification for each student is $1,510.  Each scholarship award winner will be responsible for the remaining $760 of the total cost.

This four-day class has been developed with 16 hours of classroom and 16 hours of hands-on skills labs to provide practical understanding and skills required to properly design, install, and maintain fiber optic networks. Students will use the latest fiber optic technology and equipment to learn how to splice, connect, test, and troubleshoot optical fiber networks in order to increase efficiency, reliability and on-the-job safety as well as reduce cost and downtime.  The funds will also be used to certify each student through the Electronics Technicians Association (ETA). ETA-certified technicians are professionally recognized as having the knowledge and skills to meet international de facto electronics industry standards.

PANGAEA will create the application, advertise the scholarships, and screen the applicants.  The target will be students with high school or college education in a technical area or those with comparable technical job experience. The screening process will focus on candidates who have a strong technical background, demonstrate a desire to learn, demonstrate the motivation to succeed in a demanding but rewarding field, and have defined goals to use the learned skills to excel in the field of fiber optic technology.  Scholarship recipients will be required to provide a written report within 12 months of completing the course describing how they have used the training to achieve their career goals.

Student Requirements:

1. $760 for course fee (after scholarship)(nonrefundable)
2. Reside or attend school in Polk or Rutherford County
3. Must demonstrate achievement in education and/or work experience
4. Must not be a director or employee of PANGAEA Internet
5. Student transportation to attend training course
6. Availability to attend each day of training
7. Written impact report required one year after training completed

Key Dates

Nov. 13, 2015: Scholarship applications due (available online at http://www.pangaea.us/pangaea-scholarship-program-and-application/)

Nov. 17, 2015: Scholarships awarded

Nov. 24, 2015: $760 nonrefundable prepayment due from student

Dec. 14, 2015: Training course begins

Dec. 1, 2016: Student submits written personal impact report to PANGAEA

PANGAEA Internet (“PANGAEA”) is a community led, nonprofit 501(C)(3) corporation.  Our mission is to deliver affordable, reliable connectivity and services for our region that will enhance economic development, improve the quality of life, and create a broad platform of innovation enabling underserved areas.  Since our founding by community leaders in 2003 we have built a 200 mile fiber optic network in Polk and Rutherford Counties in western North Carolina.  PANGAEA currently provides high speed bandwidth and transport to 115 customers in our four target markets:  1) health care, 2) education, 3) government, and 4) commercial.

Contact Ron Walters, PANGAEA executive director, at ronw@e-polk.org for further information.

– Submitted by Carolyn Whitehead