ASTAC Launches New Combo Technician Training Program in Utqiaġvik
New year-long program creates hands-on pathway to telecommunications careers on the North Slope
Utqiaġvik, Alaska – Arctic Slope Telephone Association Cooperative (ASTAC) has launched a new Combo Technician Training Program designed to provide hands-on telecommunications training while creating opportunities for long-term, local employment on the North Slope.
The paid, full-time program is based in Utqiaġvik and gives people the opportunity to learn on the job while gaining real world experience installing, maintaining and repairing telecommunications and network systems. The new 12-month program is designed for people interested in starting a career in telecommunications, and no previous industry experience is required. Participants will work alongside experienced ASTAC employees, learning the technical and practical skills needed to support the network and keep North Slope communities connected.
ASTAC will also cover the cost of required training and certifications throughout the program, removing some of the traditional barriers to entering a technical telecommunications career.
“Building and maintaining a reliable network across the North Slope takes skilled people who understand our communities and the unique environment we operate in,” said Rob Sharpe, ASTAC CEO and General Manager. “This program gives us an opportunity to invest in local talent, provide meaningful training, and build the next generation of technicians who will help keep our communities connected for years to come.”
The program reached an important first milestone with the addition of Brian Kippi-Spear, who began working with ASTAC in Utqiaġvik on September 14th, as the first employee to participate in the new training program.
While in the program, Kippi-Spear will gain practical hands-on experience alongside ASTAC’s technical teams while participating in training focused on telecommunications, network systems, safety, and field operations.
The Combo Technician Training Program is another way ASTAC is investing in its local workforce as we continue to grow and improve our network across the North Slope. By training technicians right here in the region, ASTAC can build a team that understands the communities we serve and the unique cultures, environment, and challenges of working on the North Slope.
Participants who successfully complete the program may have the opportunity to continue into long-term employment with ASTAC based on available positions and program completion.
“Growing up on the North Slope, I’ve seen the challenges our communities face when it comes to staying connected,” said Brian Kippi-Spear. “I’m excited for the opportunity to join ASTAC and learn from the experienced technicians who work hard to keep us connected. I’m excited to develop new skills, give back to the place I call home and build a career that allows me to stay in my community and be part of its future.”
For more information about employment opportunities with ASTAC, visit ASTAC.net/careers.
###
About ASTAC
Arctic Slope Telephone Association Cooperative, Inc. (ASTAC) is a member-owned telecommunications cooperative providing communications services to communities across Alaska’s North Slope. Since its founding in 1977, ASTAC has worked to connect some of the most remote communities in the country while continuing to invest in reliable, modern telecommunications infrastructure.
