Fiber Broadband Association OpTIC™ Path Program Wins Broadband Communities Workforce Development Award for Second Consecutive Year 

Fiber Broadband Association OpTIC™ Path Program Wins Broadband Communities Workforce Development Award for Second Consecutive Year 

Back-to-back recognition underscores program’s growing impact on building the skilled workforce needed to support fiber broadband expansion 

WASHINGTON, D.C.— (September 1, 2026)—The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) announced that its OpTIC Path™ Fiber Optic Technician Training Program has received the 2026 Workforce Development Award from Broadband Communities, marking the second consecutive year the program has earned the industry honor.  

The award was presented on August 26 during the Broadband Communities Awards at the Broadband Communities Summit in Houston. The recognition highlights OpTIC Path’s continued impact in preparing the skilled technicians needed to build, maintain, and expand fiber broadband infrastructure across North America.  

The back-to-back Broadband Communities recognition comes as workforce readiness remains a critical component of the nation’s continued fiber expansion. New broadband investments and growing network demands are creating opportunities for skilled technicians while increasing the need for training programs that can connect workers with long-term careers in the fiber industry. 

“As fiber deployment accelerates, having a skilled workforce ready to turn those plans into working networks is absolutely essential,” said Deborah Kish, Vice President of Research and Workforce Development at the Fiber Broadband Association. “Winning this award for a second consecutive year is tremendous recognition of what OpTIC Path has become, but more importantly, of the students, instructors, schools, employers, and industry partners who are helping create real pathways into fiber careers. We are proud of how far the program has come and even more excited about where it is going.” 

OpTIC Path continues to expand nationwide, with more than 1,800 graduates, more than 38 training partners and programs active in over 20 states. FBA is also working to elevate and celebrate the skilled professionals behind fiber deployment through initiatives such as the annual OpTIC Path Rodeo at Fiber Connect, where technicians put their expertise to the test through hands-on challenges that mirror real-world fiber installation and maintenance.   

To learn more about the FBA OpTIC Path program or how to bring the program to your community, visit https://fiberbroadband.org/education-and-certification/fba-optic-path/.   

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