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Chairmans Corner

2023 Tower Times Magazine - Volume 1

The NATE Executive Committee just completed two weeks of meetings across the nation. Week one meetings were held with various committees and congressional staff while week two included meetings with large industry stakeholders such as carriers and tower owners. The theme of these discussions was consistent.

The Workforce and the Wireless Industry

People got paid to stay home for a year and guess what? They like it! So many jobs remain unfilled as perhaps society got a bit spoiled. Carry that thought over to what we do and ask the question, “how many workers commute hundreds of feet vertically to their job?” Then upon completing the commute, the work skills involved include rigging, steel installation and modifications, electrical, fiber, and RF troubleshooting and installation.

When sharing this story in the halls of Congress, everyone we met was amazed as they had never considered what it takes to keep the nation’s wireless infrastructure online; a wireless infrastructure that is taken for granted, as common as 60hz electricity.

What Are We Doing About It?

We are spreading the word and in doing that we made a movie, Vertical Freedom, to bring to light the rewards of making the climb, which is now available for rent or purchase. We also have a Workforce Development Committee and have several programs in place with vocational colleges across the nation.

These programs offer formalized training and certification where upon graduation from the program the student is ready to go to work. We continue to work with our military partners like Warriors4Wireless to help place our military veterans into the workforce.

Visits to Tower Sites

NATE and our Washington D.C. partners Guidepost Strategies accomplished nine tower site visits in the past few months. Congressional leaders, their staff, and local leaders including college deans and town mayors witnessed the work that is going on at these tower sites and what it takes to build and maintain them firsthand.

Federal Communications Commission

If you think about it, the commodity that serves as the backbone of our industry is spectrum (frequencies in an infinite amount). New technology allows a new band of frequency to open, older bands get repurposed, or bands get modified for more efficient use. Regardless of what happens, we suit up and go to work!

Additionally, we are partners with the FCC as a function of the NATE-OSHA-FCC Partnership whereby we all share one common goal: A safer workplace.

I would be remiss if I did not mention FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr has served as an advocate for the tower technician, recognizing the hard work and safety aspects of our industry. His voice alone has paved the way for more invitations inside the D.C. Beltway.

In competition with many others seeking a stable workforce, our challenges are most unique, and NATE is pulling every lever possible to attract and retain workers for our industry. ●