Husted announces new 5G Readiness program at YSU
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Ohio is making new investments to prepare students for the workforce of the future in 5G technologies and to expand access.
The state is launching 5G Readiness programs at two universities, including Youngstown State University and Ashland University.
It's to prepare for what's considered the next wave of technology that impacts almost all of our daily lives.
"They can get the educational background that they need to not just take an entry-level position, but to take a higher level starting job that could mean tens of thousands both right out of the box," Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said.
5G is considered the next generation of wireless technology.
It promises to deliver faster and broader internet access.
Assistant Professor of engineering and technology at Ohio University, Jay Wilhelm, is studying 5G wireless cellular technologies for the U.S. Department of Energy. He was awarded almost $400,000 in 2021 to investigate how 5G communications can be used with regular industrial sensors and how they'll perform in power plant settings.
Wilhelm says 5G offers a significant amount of access to access data quickly. For example, he says 5g would allow for enough data to control a self-driving vehicle remotely.
"Now we can capture live video, upload it to be processed in the cloud, and download more data on how to control the car instead of have the car do everything itself," he said.
Industries using 5G will hire as many skilled people as Ohio can provide them.
The state is preparing a pipeline for future job candidates now. Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted is concerned that the state doesn't have enough trained workers to fill vital jobs.
"We can't fulfill our first goal, which is to make sure everybody has access to highspeed internet, so they can participate in the modern economy, education or healthcare system, without fulfilling the second goal, which is building the workforce to actually install it and maintain it," Husted said.
In addition to the college training programs, the state is also offering grant money through the 5G Sector Partnership Grant application to allow for further training.
5G READINESS PROGRAM AT YSU
The announcement of the new 5G Readiness program at YSU included $25,000 scholarships to pay for the training.
YSU President Jim Tressel says the university already has $180,000 available for students who want to enroll in the program. Students enrolled in a two, or four-year engineering program or graduates who would like to add the certification to their resume are encouraged to apply.
"They can even go into apprenticeships, and they can earn while they learn on top of what they're already doing," Tressel said.
The 5G Readiness program is an 80-hour certification course that will teach students how 5G is utilized and applied in multiple industries and settings.
"This is the future," Tressel said.
The more training students obtain, the higher the earning potential they'll have.
"These individuals could probably start off in this industry making about $65,000 plus a year, as high as the six figures for those who are advancing into senior roles and manager roles," Jennifer Oddo said, executive director of the Division of Workforce Education and Innovation at YSU.
It's estimated 108,000 jobs related to 5G will be created in Ohio over the next decade.
