Tilson CEO Joshua Broder testified Tuesday before the U.S. House of Representatives Workforce Subcommittee on the importance of training and apprenticeship programs to meet current and future hiring needs as the industry moves toward 5G and next-generation technologies.
The hearing on “Mind the Skills Gap: Apprenticeships and Training Programs” focused on ways private industry and the government can partner to meet ever-growing workforce demands as businesses grow and compete.
“In a tight labor market with low unemployment, most companies struggle to hire at the speed of Tilson,” Broder testified. “I lead a high-growth company in a high-demand and high-risk industry. Outside of my company, the growth of this industry to support the deployment of 5G will require expertly skilled workers who collectively deliver efficient and quality networks.”
Tilson is hiring an average of 35 team members a month across 23 offices nationwide to support its continued growth of nationwide network infrastructure design-build services. As one of the first companies in the country to participate in the Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program, supporting career development of the telecommunications workforce, Tilson has 80 tower climbing technicians and other essential installation workers registered in the program.
Broder reported that with the support of Dave Daigler, president of the Maine Community College System, Tilson is partnering with the system’s Maine Quality Centers to support its apprenticeship certifications.
Broder also told the House subcommittee about Tilson’s emphasis on hiring veterans and its newly expanded company benefits to attract and retain employees, including a parental leave policy for both genders and 15 days of paid military leave to those currently serving in the Reserves or National Guard.
Sharing the panel with Broder were Tim Herbert, senior vice president of research and market intelligence at CompTIA, and Ronald Marlow, vice president for workforce development of the National Urban League.
Tilson is a participating member of the Wireless Infrastructure Association, a six-year National Association of Tower Erectors STAR Initiative member and a member of the National Safety Council.
