Last week, Vermont Tech celebrated the achievements of the final class to graduate under the Telecommunications Technology Program for FairPoint Communications, a groundbreaking workforce educational partnership between FairPoint Communications and Vermont Tech. The program offered qualified FairPoint employees an opportunity to earn an Associate Degree in Applied Science (A.A.S.) with a concentration in Telecommunications Technology.
“Our innovative telecommunication technology curriculum introduces employees to the latest technology in the telecommunications industry and gives employees the skills and knowledge they need to make an even greater contribution to the highly competitive telecommunications industry of the future,” said Professor Jeff Higgins, director of External Degree Programs.
Vermont Tech’s Telecommunications Technology Program provides a state-of-the-art, competency-based educational program that allows employees to keep pace with advancing technology, understand changing marketplace realities, and enhance their customer service skills. One-third of the curriculum is devoted to general studies, one-third to electricity and electronics, and one-third to telecommunications. The curriculum includes topics such as switching technologies, network management, quality, labor studies, customer satisfaction, problem solving and teamwork.
The FairPoint program was initiated by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and FairPoint, in collaboration with selected community colleges within New England and New York. In 1996, Vermont Tech was one of the original 16 colleges from New England selected to design and deliver this program to employees of NYNEX, Bell Atlantic, Verizon and FairPoint Communications. The 17 current students in the program graduated on May 5 and attended a Recognition Dinner on May 10 at the Randolph Center Campus.
While the Telecommunications Technology Program for FairPoint Communications was eliminated in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the IBEW and FairPoint, Vermont Tech is discussing the continuation of the program for employees of a consortium of telecommunications technology companies throughout the state.
Graduates are:
Barre, VT - Brad Aldrich
Barton, VT - Kevin Renault
Castleton, VT - James Traverse
Enosburg Falls, VT - Chad Remillard
Essex, VT - John Stempek, Sarah Stempek***
Essex Jct, VT - Brian Gabert, Paul Provost
Fairfax, VT - Kristopher LaCross, Scott Picucci
Hinsdale, NH - Eric Beane
Jericho, VT - Derek Whitney
Milton, VT - William Richardson, Shawn Wright, Tara Wright
North Hartland, VT - Darryl Follensbee
Underhill, VT - Patrick Longley
***Sarah Stempek retired from FairPoint in December 2011 so did not graduate/complete the NextStep program. She did however graduate from Vermont Tech with her degree in Telecommunications Technology on May 5 as did all of the above. She also is one of two sets of spouses in the program (Stempek and Wright).
