The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) announced that Grant Seiffert has joined WIA as Vice President of Workforce Development and Executive Director of Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP).
“We are excited that Grant has joined the WIA team to help implement our vision of developing a stronger wireless workforce to build and maintain 5G networks,” said WIA President and CEO Jonathan Adelstein. “Grant’s executive experience and extensive leadership in the telecommunications sector will help strengthen and grow training and apprenticeship programs for the entire wireless industry to get us ready for 5G.”
“For the United States to lead the world in 5G, and to build on President Trump’s recent remarks, it is imperative to have a workforce properly trained in deploying next-generation networks. As an industry leader for workforce training and apprenticeships, the Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP) looks forward to Grant building on the successes of the program and on diversity and inclusion initiatives,” said TIRAP Chairperson David Sams.
“With extensive experience in program development, Grant will bolster WIA’s efforts to equip the workforce with the skills and training necessary to connect a 5G world,” said WIA Executive Vice President Tim House. “WIA initiatives to expand workforce development, specifically through the Telecommunications Education Center (TEC), are now more critical than ever as the industry faces a shortage of skilled workers just as 5G deployments are picking up steam.”
Prior to WIA, Grant served as President and CEO of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) for nine nears. He also currently serves on the Board of Directors for Connected Nation and on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Advisory Council (NAC).