Clearfield’s Tribal Broadband Training Program

Kickstart Your Fiber Career & Connect Your Community

Clearfield launched the Tribal Broadband Training Initiative to provide industry-standard training to Native American communities. Using our proven Certified Fiber Optic Technician (CFOT®) course, the no-cost program aims to:

Create pathways for local residents to gain certification
Open up living-wage career opportunities
Connect Tribal lands with high-speed fiber broadband

The CFOT certification is an industry-standard designation recognized (and required) by some of the biggest companies in the fiber broadband market. It’s also a prerequisite to more specialized certifications and trainings in fiber splicing, outside plant technology, and more.

The Tribal Broadband Training Initiative is open to individuals with no experience or those working in the industry who are ready to advance. You need to be 18 of age, an enrolled member of a federally recognized Tribe, and interested in a rewarding career in fiber optics.

A Native-Led Vision

This training program was sparked by a simple but important question asked during a 2025 Tribal broadband conference: What more can be done to support Tribal communities?

Clearfield COO Johnny Hill, an enrolled member of the Ojibwe Nation, responded by helping launch a program focused on creating meaningful fiber technician career pathways.

In the video below, Johnny is joined by Tzeitel Buchanan of Lumen Technologies, a member of the Cherokee Nation and a key partner in bringing this initiative to life.

Why This Training Matters Right Now

Beyond this being a good time to begin or accelerate your career as a fiber technician, it is incumbent that Tribes have full ownership over their networks. This means having a skilled workforce of Tribal members – rather than outsourced contractors – who are equipped to build out and maintain the fiber infrastructure.

Just 65% of housing units on Tribal lands receive service that meets the FCC’s benchmark for fixed broadband access (compared to 99% in urban areas).

In recent years, billions of dollars in government and private investment have been allocated to address the lack of reliable, high-speed broadband access on Tribal lands.

More than 60% of the current workforce is nearing retirement. Only 12% of fiber optic technicians are in their twenties and thirties. Skilled fiber pros are in demand.

Should You Register for the Tribal Broadband Training Program?

Fiber broadband is a fast-growing, future-ready field that offers stability, hands-on work, and long-term career opportunities.

The Tribal Broadband Training Program is available to enrolled members of a federally recognized Native American Tribe who are interested in entering or advancing in the fiber optics industry.

If one or more of the statements below sounds like you, this training may be a strong fit.

Ready to Build or Grow a Career

Whether you’re already working in fiber optics or exploring a new direction, this program is designed to meet you where you are and help you take the next step forward.

Drawn to Hands-On or Tech-Driven Work

If you enjoy working with your hands, are curious about technology, or are interested in how things like AI, gaming, and digital connectivity actually work, fiber broadband offers a practical, in-demand path.

Looking for Long-Term Opportunity

Fiber optics is a growing field with reliable work, advancement potential, and real-world impact. This program helps prepare you for a rewarding career that supports communities and keeps people connected.

Express Interest to Learn More

Fill out the form below to sign up for a training or hear about upcoming dates and locations so you can secure your spot.

Clearfield’s Tribal Broadband
Training Program