Business
Clearfield Launches Tribal Broadband Training Initiative to Empower Native Communities and Build the Skilled Fiber Workforce of Tomorrow
No-cost program provides FOA-accredited certification to create lasting careers and connectivity in Tribal communities MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
About this update from Clearfield, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"\nNo-cost program provides FOA-accredited certification to create lasting careers and connectivity in Tribal communities\n\n MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--\nClearfield, Inc. (NASDAQ:CLFD), the leader in community broadband fiber connectivity, today announced the launch of its Tribal Broadband Training Initiative, a program developed with the support of industry leaders to expand fiber workforce training across Tribal lands. Designed to provide meaningful career paths in fiber optics to enrolled Tribal members, the initiative offers no-cost Certified Fiber Optic Technician (CFOT®) training to support Tribal Nations in building the skilled workforce needed to deploy and sustain high-speed broadband networks, creating long-term economic opportunities within their communities.\n\nClearfield’s Tribal Broadband Training Initiative was born out of a workforce development session at Fiber Connect 2025, where the discussion focused on the need for accessible, skills-based training tailored to Tribal communities. Clearfield responded by launching the program.\n\n“Training today’s fiber workforce is critical to ensuring broadband expansion creates lasting, local impact,” said Johnny Hill, Chief Operating Officer at Clearfield and a member of the Ojibwe Nation. “Our goal is to go beyond connecting homes — it’s about connecting people to meaningful careers that strengthen their own communities for generations.”\n\nClearfield’s goal is to host one training session each quarter near Tribal lands across the U.S. The first session will take place January 13–15, 2026, at Clearfield’s headquarters in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The second session is slated for April 7–9, 2026, at the Hopi Telecommunications office in Keams Canyon, Arizona. The third session is scheduled for July 21-23, 2026, at Tri County Tech in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.\n\nThe three-day CFOT course, accredited by the Fiber Optic Association (FOA), blends classroom learning with hands-on training. Participants gain practical expertise across inside plant, outside plant, and access network applications, preparing them for real-world fiber deployment roles. Upon successful completion, participants earn an industry-recognized certification that boosts employability and opens doors to advanced specialization within the broadband industry.\n\nAccording to Kelly Weissmann, Clearfield’s Dir...