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NATE Participates in Ohio Second Chance Re-Entry Program Announcement in Dayton, Ohio

Posted on: May 23, 2023 Category: Industry News

For Immediate Release:
May 23, 2023

    Second Chance Re-Entry Program a Public-Private Sector Collaboration Between Governor’s Office, Department of Rehabilitation & Correction, and Industry. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, AT&T Ohio President Molly Kocour Boyle, and NATE President & CEO Todd Schlekeway Delivered Remarks at Event                

(Dayton, Ohio) – Todd Schlekeway, President and CEO of NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association, praised officials from the Ohio Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction at today’s Second Chance Re-Entry Program event announcement in Dayton, Ohio. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted, and AT&T Ohio President Molly Kocour Boyle also addressed attendees at the event, which took place at the Dayton Correctional Institution.

The announcement event recognized the upcoming Telecommunications Tower Technician 1 (TTT1) Pilot Program Co-Hort consisting of properly vetted incarcerated individuals nearing release. The Second Chance Re-Entry Program, a collaborative effort involving the Ohio Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction, and industry will be offered at North Central State College, which is located near a correctional facility in Mansfield, Ohio.

“NATE commends the State of Ohio, Governor DeWine, and Lieutenant Governor Husted for prioritizing workforce issues and investing in innovative communications infrastructure training programs,” said Schlekeway. “The TTT1 Second Chance Re-Entry Program is a perfect combination to upskill these individuals as they prepare to re-enter society and embark on a meaningful, promising career path in the telecommunications industry,” Schlekeway added.

In addition to Schlekeway, NATE was represented at the event by Ohio-based member company representatives Nicole Paulette (Elevated Services, LLC), Joey Deuer (Deuer Development), Sheri O’Dell-Deuer (Deuer Development), and Dawn Smith (Deuer Development).

A transcript of NATE President & CEO Todd Schlekeway’s remarks at today’s announcement can be read below. To learn more about the Ohio Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, visit https://workforce.ohio.gov/about, for more information about NATE, visit www.natehome.com.

Ohio 2nd Chance Event

L to R: Nicole Paulette (Elevated Services LLC), Joey Deuer (Deuer Development), Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Todd Schlekeway (NATE President & CEO), Sheri O’Dell-Deuer (Deuer Development), and Dawn Smith (Deuer Development)

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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted pose for a photo with individuals who will be participating in the Second Chance Re-Entry Program Pilot Telecommunications Tower Technician Pilot Co-Hort at North Central State College in Mansfield, Ohio.          

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L to R: Nicole Paulette (Elevated Services, LLC), Todd Schlekeway ( NATE President & CEO), Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted, Molly Kacour Boyle (AT&T), Sheri O’Dell Deuer (Deuer Development), and Dawn Smith (Deuer Development).

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Transcript of NATE President & CEO Todd Schlekeway’s Remarks at Ohio Second Chance Re-Entry Program Announcement

May 23, 2023

On behalf of NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association, I am proud to be in the Buckeye State today representing more than 1,150 member companies (including 37 Ohio-based companies) and tens of thousands of men and women who construct, service, and maintain hundreds of thousands of communications towers and next generation wireless and broadband networks throughout the country.

Thank you to Governor Mike DeWine and to Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted for your vision and leadership implementing telecommunications workforce development programs critical to our industry’s future. Currently, the wireless industry needs thousands of employees. Tower technicians, tower construction and line and antenna technicians represent 70% of the needed workers. These workers are essential to building the necessary telecom infrastructure that will enable us to achieve the national goals of expanding broadband, enhancing wireless services, and closing the digital divide while improving public safety, promoting national security, and maintaining existing towers.

Today’s ceremony recognizes the upcoming pilot TTT1 Program Co-Hort of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction 2nd Chance Re-Entry Program that is offered at North Central State College in Mansfield, Ohio. The Tower Technician program provides hope for the incarcerated adults by engaging them in learning an employable in-demand skill that leads to employment post release. The TTT1 and 2nd Chance Re-Entry Program is a perfect combination to upskill these individuals as they prepare to re-enter society and have a second chance to live a fulfilling life and have a promising career in the telecommunications industry. And I emphasize career as this industry offers a financially rewarding, life-altering career path that is more than a job!

In 2022, NATE funded and produced a feature length documentary movie titled Vertical Freedom that highlighted the triumphs of challenges of 6 tower technicians from around the country. One of the redemption stories highlighted in the movie was that of tower technician Robert Gallegos, who overcame life mistakes and several stints at a correctional facility and went on to a thriving career in our industry. The 2nd Chance Re-Entry Program in Ohio presents a terrific opportunity to produce more of these success stories like Robert’s.

Ohio’s mission is NATE’s mission, and this public-private sector collaboration with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction, the Governor’s office and industry can close the digital divide and provide for a highly skilled workforce. NATE and our 37 Ohio member companies stand ready to help as you develop a greater workforce that will build the communications infrastructure critical to making our tomorrow brighter and more interconnected.

In closing, thank you for your time, and thank you to Governor DeWine, Lieutenant Governor Husted, the Ohio Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction for your leadership.

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Contact: Todd Schlekeway
[email protected]