CWA's Broadband Apprentice Program Helps Afghan Refugees in Idaho

Last week, CWA Local 7603 Steward and Director of CWA’s Idaho Fiber Technician Apprenticeship Program (FiTech) Jeremiah Clever met with Nawid Mousa, the Director of the Afghan Cultural Center of Idaho, to discuss ways CWA can help uplift the community of Afghan refugees who have relocated there. The two came to an agreement to provide fiber apprenticeship training to the Afghan refugee community, many of whom hold advanced degrees that they are eager to put to use. Said Clever, “We are extremely excited to provide them a new career path that will allow them to earn a living and provide for their families in their new country.”

Last year, CWA Local 7603 was awarded a $2 million grant to establish a registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship program for broadband technicians in Idaho aimed at preparing the skilled workforce needed to improve and upgrade Idaho’s broadband infrastructure. The program supports unemployed, underemployed, and incumbent workers, including groups like the Afghan refugees who may not otherwise have access to high-quality employment opportunities in the region.

This project will be funded 84 percent by the Federal Department of Labor (DOL) Employment and Training Administration's (ETA) Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs Grant Program ($1,999,815) and 16 percent by leveraged funds ($389,840).

 
CWA Local 7603 President Jeremiah Clever posed with members of the Afghan Cultural Center after reaching an agreement to offer a fiber technician apprenticeship program to Afghan refugees in Idaho. Pictured from left to right are Behrouz “Ben” Beheshti, President Clever, Harry Mondor, and Director of the Afghan Cultural Center, Nawid Mousa.