PANGAEA, a nonprofit internet service provider in Polk and Rutherford counties, is offering a scholarship for people interested in attending fiber optic splicing training on June 26-29, in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Visit http://www.pangaea.us/pangaea-scholarship-program-and-application/ to learn more. Applications are due by May 9.

PANGAEA will provide one $750 scholarship to attend the four-day Fiber Optic 1-2-3 training course, to be held on June 26-29, in Spartanburg.

Student requirements are as follows:

1. $760 for course fee (after scholarship) (nonrefundable)

2. Reside or attend school in Polk or Rutherford counties

3. Must be at least a high school senior or above

4. Must demonstrate achievement in education and/or work experience

5. Must not be a director or employee of PANGAEA Internet

6. Student transportation to attend training course

7. Availability to attend each day of training

8. Written impact report required one year after training completed

The total cost of the program plus certification is $1,510. The 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-certified technicians are professionally recognized as having the knowledge and skills to meet international de facto electronics industry standards.

There is a shortage of fiber optic splicing technicians to serve rural areas, like Polk and Rutherford counties, PANGAEA officials said. 

This shortage impacts the ability of PANGAEA and other internet service providers to install, maintain and repair the fiber optic infrastructure required to bring high speed internet to rural communities.

This program will provide a scholarship for The Light Brigade’s Fiber Optics 1-2-3 training course, as well as fiber optic certification.

– Submitted by Carolyn Whitehead