The Bleeding Edge of Talent in the Fibre Market
As the fibre broadband industry continues to boom, one thing is clear: there’s a severe shortage of skilled professionals to meet the demand. And it’s not just a case of a few missing threads – it’s a full-blown crisis.
The US fibre market is experiencing a severe brain drain, with African fibre technicians flocking to the States to take on lucrative jobs in the Biden administration’s BEAD initiative. This is leaving Africa’s fibre market in crisis, with a severe skills shortage threatening to derail plans for widespread fibre deployment.
The BEAD Betrayal
The US government’s BEAD program, which aims to extend fibre to underserved communities, has become a recruitment magnet for African fibre pros. With a whopping $42.45 billion up for grabs, it’s no wonder that African companies are struggling to retain top talent.
But it’s not just the US companies that are to blame – African fibre providers are themselves to blame for not paying their staff a living wage. As a result, the best and brightest are being lured away from the continent, leaving only the mediocre behind.
The Consequences of Crisis
The consequences of this crisis are dire. As fibre deployment slows to a trickle, the digital divide threatens to widen, leaving thousands of Africans without access to quality connectivity. And yet, despite the urgency, there’s a lack of urgency from African governments, who seem more interested in lining their own pockets than in addressing the crisis.
The Solution
The solution is clear: increase the salaries of fibre professionals, and invest in comprehensive training programs to upskill the existing workforce. By doing so, we can stem the brain drain, and ensure that Africa’s fibre market is equipped with the talent it needs to thrive.
But will anything change? Only time will tell.
