Learn about how TIRAP is a workforce development strategy designed to assist your developing career in telecommuncations.
WIA is the National Sponsor of TIRAP – a joint venture of telecommunications companies, industry associations and the United States Department of Labor. WIA administers National Standards of Apprenticeship and the approved, apprenticeable occupations associated with the program. Graduates of the program receive a national, industry-recognized credential that certifies occupation proficiency and provides opportunities for career advancement.
TIRAP’s mission is to partner with the telecommunications industry to promote safety, enhance quality, and enable education and advancements opportunities in the telecommunications workforce that will meet network infrastructure installation and maintenance needs. WIA’s approach, working with participating employers and industry advisors, promotes a consistency in occupational development that was not previously defined. This allows employers to share knowledge and provides for uniformity in training across occupations and specialty training topics.
Paid Job – Earn as you learn as you develop new skills and responsibilities.
Credentials – Receive an industry recognized and nationally portable credential.
Jumpstart Your Career – Ease the transition from school to career by working and learning at the same time.
Education – Gain workplace relevant skills in the field of your choice through on-the-job-learning.
Mentorship – Connect with mentor(s) in your chosen industry who can help you advance your career.
Skilled Workforce – Recruit and develop a highly skilled workforce that helps you grow your business.
Positive Impact to Your Bottom Line – Improve productivity, profitability and your bottom line.
Reduce Turnover – Minimize cost with reduced turnover and liability.
Customizable Training – Create flexible training options that ensure workers develop the right skills.
Retain workers – 94% of apprentices continue employment after completing an apprenticeship.
Diversity – Foster a diverse and inclusive culture.
Telecommunication Tower Technician is a member of a crew performing general construction activities with an emphasis on tower system installation and maintenance and inspection of existing support structures used in the provision of essential telecommunication systems, including personal wireless communications, public safety communications, utility networks, and broadcasting.
Wireless Technician is a member of a crew performing general installation, provisioning, maintenance, troubleshooting/fault isolation and restoration activities of essential wireless systems used in the provision of essential telecommunication systems, including personal wireless communications, public safety communications, utility networks, and broadcasting.
Telecommunications Tower Antenna & Line Lead (TAL) is a supervised member of a crew performing antenna and line installation, maintenance and troubleshooting activities on structures in accordance with (IAW) installation design drawings and or written Scope of Work (SOW). Work performed must comply with all applicable industry standards and best practices. The TAL is authorized to supervise Telecommunication Tower Apprentice/Telecommunication Tower Technician (TTA/TTT) level crew members during the On Job Learning (OJL). The TAL may not act as a Competent Person for antenna and line install during this phase of education/training unless deemed competent by the employer for SOW. The TAL assists the Telecommunications Tower Antenna & Line Foreman (TAF) with successful completion of the SOW and may be assigned crew leadership duties.
Telecommunications Tower Antenna & Line Foreman (TAF) is a supervisor of a crew performing antenna and line installation, maintenance and troubleshooting activities on elevated structures in accordance with (IAW) installation design drawings and or written scopes of work. Work performed must comply with all applicable industry standards and best practices. The TAF is authorized to supervise Telecommunications Tower Technician (TTT) and Telecommunications Tower Antenna & Line Lead (TAL) level crew members during the OJL portion of their training.
Telecommunications Tower Construction Lead (TCL) is a supervised member of a crew performing installation/erection, dismantling and/or Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) maintenance of Telecommunications support structures in accordance with (IAW) installation design drawings and/or written Scope of Work (SOW). Work performed must comply with all applicable industry standards and best practices. The TCL is authorized to supervise Telecommunication Tower Apprentice /Telecommunication Tower Technician (TTA/TTT) level crew members during the On Job Learning (OJL). The TCL may not act as a Competent Person for structure erection or dismantling during this phase of education/training unless deemed competent by the employer for the SOW. The TCL assists the Telecommunications Tower Construction Foreman (TCF) with successful completion of the SOW and may be assigned crew leadership duties.
Telecommunications Tower Construction Foreman (TCF) is a supervisor of a crew performing installation, demolition, and/or maintenance on elevated structures in accordance with (IAW) installation design drawings and or written scopes of work. Work performed must comply with all applicable industry standards and best practices. The TCF is authorized to supervise Telecommunication Tower Apprentice/Telecommunication Tower Technician (TTA/TTT) and Telecommunications Tower Construction Lead (TCL) level crew members during the on-job-learning portion of their training.
Maintenance & Condition Assessment Lead (MCL) is a supervised member of a crew performing maintenance and condition assessments on antenna supporting structures in accordance with (IAW) ANSI/TIA 222 and/or owners engineering representative. The MCL is intended to cover assessment activities only and does not include any construction activities. Work performed must comply with all applicable industry standards and best practices. The MCL is authorized to supervise Telecommunication Tower Apprentice/Telecommunication Tower Technician (TTA/TTT) level crew members during the on job learning (OJL). The MCL may not act as a Competent Person for maintenance and condition assessments during this phase of education/training unless deemed competent by the employer for the scope of work (SOW). The MCL assists the Maintenance and Condition Foreman (MCF) with successful completion of the SOW and may be assigned crew leadership duties.
Maintenance & Condition Assessment Foreman (MCF) is a supervisor of a crew performing maintenance and condition assessments on antenna supporting structures in accordance with (IAW) ANSI/TIA 222 and/or owners engineering representative. The MCF is intended to cover assessment activities only and does not include any construction activities. Work performed must comply with all applicable industry standards and best practices. The MCF is authorized to supervise Telecommunication Tower Apprentice/Telecommunication Tower Technician (TTA/TTT) and TIA Maintenance & Condition Assessment Lead (MCL) level crew members during the on-job-learning portion of their training.
The Fiber Optic Technician (FOT) is a member of a crew performing installation, troubleshooting, termination, splicing, testing, maintenance and repair of fiber optic cables of essential telecommunication systems, including personal wireless communications, public safety communications, utility networks, and broadcasting. The FOT performs their job duties inside and outside of homes and buildings.
The Underground Utility Installer Technician (UUIT) is a member of a crew with skills in the construction and maintenance of underground or buried telecom utility systems. The UUIT will use skills such as underground utility location, fiber optic technology, and industry regulations as part of their daily work routine. In addition, the UUIT may be required to operate underground equipment.
The Overhead Utility Installer Technician (OUIT) is a member of a crew with skills in the construction and maintenance of overhead telecom utility and broadband systems. Depending on the service provided, the OUIT will work with a wide variety of cabling, including fiber optic cable, as part of their daily work routine. In addition, the OUIT may be required to operate overhead equipment.